# NTSB GAA19CA405: Eurocopter EC135, N135WJ, Cobleskill, NY, June 17, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 17, 2019, 17:12 local (21:12 UTC) - Place: Cobleskill, NY - Coordinates: 42.686943, -74.48278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6869&lon=-74.4828&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99823 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA405 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99823/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99823 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA405 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain situational awareness during takeoff from a confined area, which resulted in the helicopter rotors striking tree branches. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 P2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=5620027), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: situational awareness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 P2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md?model=5620027), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 P2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=5620027), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 P2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5620027), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 P2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5620027), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter operator reported that, during takeoff, the pilot allowed the helicopter to drift aft during a pedal turn, which resulted in the main rotor blades impacting tree branches that outlined the confined area of the landing zone. The pilot completed the remainder of the flight without incident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the antitorque gear box. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The operator of the helicopter reported that, during takeoff, the pilot allowed the helicopter to drift aft during a pedal turn. As the pilot performed a pedal turn, the main rotor blades struck tree branches that outlined the confined area of the landing zone. The remainder of the flight was completed without incident. Further inspection by the operator's maintenance personal identified two main rotor blades displayed damage at the tips, three fan-in-fin blades displayed bending, a crack in the vertical fin, puncture in the horizonal stabilizer and damage to the anti-torque gear box. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the anti-torque gear box. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N135WJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N135WJ), registered now, S/N 0287, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Eurocopter EC135 (P2) - Registry model: [Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 P2](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-deutschland-ec-135-p2) (registry code 5620027) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pw206b-series) (registry code 52135, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0287 - Year built: 2003 - Airframe hours: 5894 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney 206B2 turbo shaft; Pratt & Whitney 206B2 turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Air Methods Corporation - Registered owner: Equipment Operating Leases Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, June 17, 2019 - Departed: Cobleskill, NY - Destination: NK64, Albany, NY - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 11, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,672 total, 1,342 in this make and model, 3,672 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 4 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KSCH, 25 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20190617004389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190617004389A), Jun 17, 2019: Eurocopter Deutschland Gmbh EC 135 P2, Cobleskill, NY, Substantial damage. Upon liftoff from the medivac helipad, the aircraft tail boom made contact with trees, and the pilot continued flight to drop off the patient at the medical… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 9, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99823. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475636&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 318 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475638&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.