# NTSB LAX07MA231: Eurocopter AS350-B2, N613TV, Phoenix, AZ, July 27, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report
- Date: July 27, 2007, 12:46 local (19:46 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.4911111111111, -112.0675
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4911&lon=-112.0675&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 3, 2009
- Report: Board-adopted at Board Meeting
- Investigation class: Class 1
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration AAI-100, KTVK-TV, US Helicopters Inc., American Eurocopter, Turbomeca, National Air Traffic Controlleer's Association, BEA
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66317
- NTSB case page: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/LAX07MA231.aspx
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66317/pdf
- Board report AAR0902 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR0902.pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=66317
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07MA231

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

Both pilots' failure to see and avoid the other helicopter. Contributing to this failure was the pilots' responsibility to perform reporting and visual tracking duties to support their station's ENG operation. Contributing to the accident was the lack of formal procedures for Phoenix-area ENG pilots to follow regarding the conduct of these operations.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Midair collision, maneuvering
  - excessive workload (task overload), pilots of both aircraft (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilots of both aircraft (cause)
  - procedure inadequate, other institution (contributing factor)
- Midair collision, maneuvering
  - excessive workload (task overload), pilots of both aircraft (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilots of both aircraft (cause)
  - procedure inadequate, other institution (contributing factor)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

The Safety Board's full report is available at http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/A_Acc1.htm. The Aircraft Accident Report number is NTSB/AAR-09/02.

On July 27, 2007, about 1246 mountain standard time, two electronic news gathering (ENG) helicopters, N613TV and N215TV, collided in midair while maneuvering in Phoenix, Arizona. The Eurocopter AS350B2 helicopters, from local channels 3 and 15, had been covering a police pursuit. N613TV, the channel 3 helicopter, was operated by KTVK-TV, and N215TV, the channel 15 helicopter, was operated by U.S. Helicopters, Inc., under contract to KNXV-TV. Each helicopter had a pilot-reporter and a photographer on board. The occupants on board both helicopters were killed, and the helicopters were destroyed by impact forces and postcrash fire. The helicopters were operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. No flight plans had been filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

The Safety Board's full report is available at http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/A_Acc1.htm. The Aircraft Accident Report number is NTSB/AAR-09/02.

On July 27, 2007, about 1246 mountain standard time, two electronic news gathering (ENG) helicopters, N613TV and N215TV, collided in midair while maneuvering in Phoenix, Arizona. The Eurocopter AS350B2 helicopters, from local channels 3 and 15, had been covering a police pursuit. N613TV, the channel 3 helicopter, was operated by KTVK-TV, and N215TV, the channel 15 helicopter, was operated by U.S. Helicopters, Inc., under contract to KNXV-TV. Each helicopter had a pilot-reporter and a photographer on board. The occupants on board both helicopters were killed, and the helicopters were destroyed by impact forces and postcrash fire. The helicopters were operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. No flight plans had been filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N613TV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N613TV-2008-02-27), registration cancelled 2008-02-27, S/N 2883, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER AS350-B2
- Registry model: [Eurocopter AS 350 B2](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b2) (registry code 8680950) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-1SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1ser) (registry code 60030, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2883
- Airframe hours: 11810
- Engines: Turbomeca Ariel 1D1 732 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ktvk Tv
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, July 1, 2007
- Departed: SDL, Scottsdale, AZ

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N215TV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N215TV-2009-09-04), registration cancelled 2009-09-04, S/N 3167, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER AS350-B2
- Registry model: [Eurocopter AS 350 B2](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b2) (registry code 8680950) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-1D1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1d1) (registry code 60053, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3167
- Airframe hours: 5094.1
- Engines: Turbomeca Ariel 1D1 732 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: US Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, July 15, 2007
- Departed: SDL, Scottsdale, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N613TV; age 47; injuries: fatal; commercial, flight instructor, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; last flight review April 1, 2007; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 13,578 total
- Pilot, aircraft N215TV; age 47; injuries: fatal; commercial; medical: class 2; last flight review December 1, 2006; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,006 total, 907 in this make and model, 122 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 6 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observed at: PHX

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20070727016342A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070727016342A), Jul 27, 2007: Snias AS350B2, Phoenix, AR, Destroyed, 2 fatal. (-23) On July 27, 2007, about 1246 mountain standard time, channel 3 (ch 3) and channel 15 (ch 15) news helicopters, N613TV and N215TV, respectively, collided…
- [Accident 20070727016251A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070727016251A), Jul 27, 2007: Snias AS350B2, Phoenix, AR, Destroyed, 2 fatal. (-23) On July 27, 2007, about 1246 mountain standard time, channel 3 (ch 3) and channel 15 (ch 15) news helicopters, N613TV and N215TV, respectively, collided…

## Docket (47 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 29, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=66317. 35.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - N613TV (item 1, .PDF, 717 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40291342&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20N613TV-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - N215TV (item 2, .PDF, 826 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40287513&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20N215TV-Redacted.PDF
- Operations 2 - Factual Report of Group Chairman (item 3, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40299419&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operations%202%20-%20Factual%20Report%20of%20Group%20Chairman-Master.PDF
- Ops Attachment A - FAA Review of Pilot Records (item 4, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40299359&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ops%20Attachment%20A%20-%20FAA%20Review%20of%20Pilot%20Records-Master.PDF
- Ops Attachment B-Record of Conversation with Westcor current Director of Operations (item 5, .PDF, 264 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40289918&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ops%20Attachment%20B-Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Westcor%20current%20Director%20of%20Operations-Redacted.PDF
- Ops Attachment C Record of Conversation 22008 Ch 3 Chief Pilot (item 6, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40299360&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ops%20Attachment%20C%20Record%20of%20Conversation%2022008%20Ch%203%20Chief%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF
- Ops Attachment D-Record of Conversation with US Helicopters vice president (item 7, .PDF, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40289917&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ops%20Attachment%20D-Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20US%20Helicopters%20vice%20president-Redacted.PDF
- Ops Attachment E-Interpretation of Ethanol Levels (item 8, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40291467&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ops%20Attachment%20E-Interpretation%20of%20Ethanol%20Levels-Master.PDF
- Ops Attachment F-Record of Conversation 21208 Ch 3 Chief Pilot (item 9, .PDF, 177 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40291677&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ops%20Attachment%20F-Record%20of%20Conversation%2021208%20Ch%203%20Chief%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF
- Ops Attachment G-PHX ENG Pilots' Interviews (item 10, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40291469&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ops%20Attachment%20G-PHX%20ENG%20Pilots%27%20Interviews-Master.PDF
- Ops Attachment H-Record of Conversation with HAI representative (item 11, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40291468&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ops%20Attachment%20H-Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20HAI%20representative-Redacted.PDF
- Ops Attachment I-Record of Conversation with NBPA President (item 12, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40291682&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ops%20Attachment%20I-Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20NBPA%20President-Master.PDF
- Ops Attachment J-NBPA Procedures (item 13, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40291470&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ops%20Attachment%20J-NBPA%20Procedures-Master.PDF
- Ops Attachment K-RTNDA Statement (item 14, .PDF, 9 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40291473&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ops%20Attachment%20K-RTNDA%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Ops Attachment L-Record of Conversation with AFTRA representative (item 15, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40291471&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ops%20Attachment%20L-Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20AFTRA%20representative-Redacted.PDF
- Ops Attachment M-Record of Conversation with NPPA Representative (item 16, .PDF, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40290826&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ops%20Attachment%20M-Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20NPPA%20Representative-Redacted.PDF
- Ops Attachment N-Record of Conversation with ALEA representative (item 17, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40291472&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ops%20Attachment%20N-Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20ALEA%20representative-Redacted.PDF
- Ops Attachment O-FAA AM78-29 Conspicuity (item 18, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40291474&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ops%20Attachment%20O-FAA%20AM78-29%20Conspicuity-Master.PDF
- Ops Attachment P - US Forest Service Requirements (item 19, .PDF, 517 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40299420&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ops%20Attachment%20P%20-%20US%20Forest%20Service%20Requirements-Master.PDF
- Ops Attachment Q -Tour Operators Program of Safety (item 20, .PDF, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40299421&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ops%20Attachment%20Q%20-Tour%20Operators%20Program%20of%20Safety-Master.PDF
- Ops Attachment R - Transport Canada Operations Specifications for Niagara Falls (item 21, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40299422&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ops%20Attachment%20R%20-%20Transport%20Canada%20Operations%20Specifications%20for%20Niagara%20Falls-Master.PDF
- Ops Attachment S Report from Transport Canada Official (item 22, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40299424&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ops%20Attachment%20S%20Report%20from%20Transport%20Canada%20Official-Master.PDF
- Ops Attachment T - Rochester, New York FSDO Report (item 23, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40299423&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ops%20Attachment%20T%20-%20Rochester,%20New%20York%20FSDO%20Report-Master.PDF
- ATC 3 - Factual Report of Group Chairman (item 24, .PDF, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40282935&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=ATC%203%20-%20Factual%20Report%20of%20Group%20Chairman-Master.PDF
- ATC 3 - Attachment 1 PHX ATCT Accident Package (includes ATC transcript) (item 25, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40298744&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=ATC%203%20-%20Attachment%201%20PHX%20ATCT%20Accident%20Package%20(includes%20ATC%20transcript)-Redacted.PDF
- ATC 3 - Attachment 2, Letter of Agreement, Phoenix Tower and Helicopters Operating in the Class B Airspace (item 26, .PDF, 295 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40282936&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=ATC%203%20-%20Attachment%202,%20Letter%20of%20Agreement,%20Phoenix%20Tower%20and%20Helicopters%20Operating%20in%20the%20Class%20B%20Airspace-Master.PDF
- Witness 4 - Factual Report (item 27, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40285455&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%204%20-%20Factual%20Report-Redacted.PDF
- ATC 3 - Attachment 3 ATC Scope Replay and Radar Data (item 28, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307062&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=ATC%203%20-%20Attachment%203%20ATC%20Scope%20Replay%20and%20Radar%20Data-Master.PDF
- Airworthiness Factual Report of Group Chairman (item 29, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40299314&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airworthiness%20Factual%20Report%20of%20Group%20Chairman-Master.PDF
- Airworthiness Attachment A-Email from Belo Corp (Ch 3) (item 30, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40291475&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airworthiness%20Attachment%20A-Email%20from%20Belo%20Corp%20(Ch%203)-Redacted.PDF
- Airworthiness Attachment B- N613TV Logbook Excerpts (item 31, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40289323&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airworthiness%20Attachment%20B-%20N613TV%20Logbook%20Excerpts-Redacted.PDF
- Airworthiness Attachment C- N215TV MX Record Excerpts (item 32, .PDF, 9.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40289331&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airworthiness%20Attachment%20C-%20N215TV%20MX%20Record%20Excerpts-Redacted.PDF
- Airworthiness Attachment D- PHX PD Completed Scene Picture (item 33, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40289332&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airworthiness%20Attachment%20D-%20PHX%20PD%20Completed%20Scene%20Picture-Master.PDF
- Airworthiness Attachment E- AS350 Schematic (item 34, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40289333&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airworthiness%20Attachment%20E-%20AS350%20Schematic-Master.PDF
- Medical Records Information (item 35, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40287668&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Medical%20Records%20Information-Master.PDF
- Toxicological Report A-N613TV (item 36, .PDF, 482 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40282932&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report%20A-N613TV-Master.PDF
- Toxicological Report B-N215TV (item 37, .PDF, 482 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40287671&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report%20B-N215TV-Master.PDF
- On-Board Audio/Video Recordings - Factual Report and Transcript (item 38, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40299425&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=On-Board%20Audio%2FVideo%20Recordings%20-%20Factual%20Report%20and%20Transcript-Master.PDF
- On-Board Audio/Video Recordings - Factual Report and Transcript - ERRATA (item 39, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40305916&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=On-Board%20Audio%2FVideo%20Recordings%20-%20Factual%20Report%20and%20Transcript%20-%20ERRATA-Master.PDF
- On-Board Audio/Video Recordings - Study Report (item 40, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40299426&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=On-Board%20Audio%2FVideo%20Recordings%20-%20Study%20Report-Master.PDF
- Record of Converesation Ch 12 Chief Pilot (item 41, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307056&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Converesation%20Ch%2012%20Chief%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation Ch 5 Chief Pilot (item 42, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307057&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20Ch%205%20Chief%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation Ch 10 Chief Pilot (item 43, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307058&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20Ch%2010%20Chief%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation Channel 12 Pilot (item 44, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307059&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20Channel%2012%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation Channel 5 Pilot (item 45, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307060&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20Channel%205%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Radar Depiction Last 1 Minute (item 46, .PDF, 334 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307061&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Radar%20Depiction%20Last%201%20Minute-Master.PDF
- HAI ENG Draft Manual Excerpts (item 47, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40307176&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=HAI%20ENG%20Draft%20Manual%20Excerpts-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.