# NTSB WPR15CA063: Eurocopter AS 350 B2 Ecureuil, N352SL, Bicknell, UT, December 16, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 16, 2014, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Bicknell, UT - Coordinates: 38.330585, -111.549491 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3306&lon=-111.5495&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 1, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 90504 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15CA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90504/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90504 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15CA063 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to prevent the helicopter from settling with power while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B2 ECUREUIL, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8680951), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) (defining event); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B2 ECUREUIL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md?model=8680951), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the flight was in support of a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) pronghorn animal capture project. During takeoff, the pilot noted that the cockpit gauges were in the green range an indication that the helicopter had enough power available for the weight and density altitude he was operating. The pilot began herding operation, by maneuvering behind a small group of animals and successfully directing them toward the trap configured on the ground. After about 20 minutes, a large group of pronghorn were found and again the pilot maneuvered the helicopter behind them in an effort to herd them toward the trap's funnel. The animals suddenly reversed course and ran directly under the helicopter. In response, the pilot maneuvered the helicopter backward about 50 to 100 feet while applying forward cyclic and maintaining an altitude of about 15 feet above ground level. The helicopter began to settle with power and as he applied up collective, the descent rate increased. The helicopter landed hard and incurred structural damage to the tail boom and bulkhead. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that the flight was in support of a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) pronghorn animal capture project. During takeoff, the pilot noted that the cockpit gauges were in the green range in indication that the helicopter had enough power available for the weight and density altitude he was operating. The pilot began herding operation, by maneuvering behind a small group of animals and successfully directing them toward the trap configured on the ground. After about 20 minutes, a large group of pronghorn were found and again the pilot maneuvered the helicopter behind them in an effort to herd them toward the trap's funnel. The animals suddenly reversed course and ran directly under the helicopter. In response, the pilot maneuvered the helicopter backward about 50 to 100 feet while applying forward cyclic and maintaining an altitude of about 15 feet above ground level. The helicopter began to settle with power and as he applied up collective, the descent rate increased. The helicopter landed hard and incurred structural damage to the tail boom and bulkhead. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N352SL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N352SL-2024-03-25), registration cancelled 2024-03-25, S/N 2798, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER AS 350 B2 ECUREUIL (B2) - Registry model: [Eurocopter AS 350 B2 ECUREUIL](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b2-ecureuil) (registry code 8680951) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-1SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1ser) (registry code 60030, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2798 - Year built: 1994 - Engines: Turbomeca Arriel 1 681 hp turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Utah Highway Patrol - Registered owner: State Of Utah - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 38U, LOA, UT - Destination: 38U, LOA, UT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 7, 2014; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,500 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °F ## 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 20141216021289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141216021289A), Dec 16, 2014: Eurocopter AS 350 B2 ECUREUIL, Bicknell, UT, Substantial damage. Aircraft was herding antelope off airport and settled with power resulting in a hard landing. The result was substantial damage to the tail boom and fuselage… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 15, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90504. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40422528&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.