# NTSB WPR13CA071: Hughes 369, N818CE, Pasadena, CA, December 7, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 7, 2012, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Pasadena, CA - Coordinates: 34.224998, -118.1025 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2250&lon=-118.1025&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 85842 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85842/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85842 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA071 ## Probable cause An unsecured headset, which struck the leading edge of a tail rotor blade. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate safety briefing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Misc hardware](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400/cases.md) - [Communication (personnel): issuing instructions](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063538): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063538/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110); cases with it: [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md) ## Analysis Prior to the flight, the doors were removed in order to make it easier for the passengers to board and exit the helicopter. During the safety briefing, the pilot took a headset from a pouch in the rear of the helicopter, demonstrated how to wear the headsets, and then replaced it. The pilot did not tell the passengers that the headsets needed to be replaced in the pouch after landing and before exiting the helicopter. Additionally, the pilot did not make the passengers aware of the danger associated with loose headsets in the back of the helicopter in a doors-off configuration. After the two passengers were transported to a work site location, the right rear passenger exited the helicopter and placed the headset on the hook located behind the front seats. After departing the site, about 3 to 5 minutes later while en route at an elevation of about 1,000 feet above ground level, the pilot felt something strike the helicopter. After landing and upon inspecting the helicopter, the pilot discovered that the right rear headset was missing and that the leading edge of the tail rotor had been damaged. Upon further inspection of the helicopter, the operator reported that the tail rotor drive shaft was found to be slightly egg shaped at its aft end. ## Factual narrative Prior to the flight the doors were removed in order to make it easier for the passengers to board and exit the helicopter. During the safety briefing, the pilot took a headset from a pouch in the rear of the aircraft, demonstrated how to wear the headsets, and then replaced it. The pilot did not tell the passengers that the headsets needed to be replaced in the pouch after landing and before exiting the helicopter. Additionally, the pilot did not make the passengers aware of the danger associated with loose headsets in the back of the aircraft in a doors-off configuration. After transporting the two passengers to a work site location, the right rear passenger exited the helicopter and placed the headset on the hook located behind the front seats. After departing the site and about 3 to 5 minutes later while en route at an elevation of about 1,000 feet above ground level, the pilot felt something strike the helicopter. After landing and upon inspecting the aircraft, the pilot discovered that the right rear headset was missing and that the leading edge of the tail rotor had been damaged. Upon further inspection of the helicopter, the operator reported that the tail rotor drive shaft was found to be slightly egg shaped at its aft end. ## Aircraft - Registration: N818CE (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: HUGHES 369 (D) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 610983D - Airframe hours: 11784 - Engines: ALLISON 250 C20R/2 450 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Southern California Edison Co. - Registered owner: Southern California Edison Co. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, May 16, 2012, 92 hours before - Departed: 27CN, Valencia, CA - Destination: 27CN, Valencia, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 7, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 11,796 total, 500 in this make and model, 8,159 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 15 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg ## 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 20121207028009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121207028009A), Dec 7, 2012: Hughes 369D, Mt. Wilson, CA, Minor damage. Aircraft was near Mt. Wilson California in cruise flight with the doors removed. A pair of unsucured headsets departed the cabin and impacted the tail rotor… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 16, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85842. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384715&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.