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NTSB Final Report: Deer Valley, AZ

Location:

Deer Valley, Arizona

Accident Number:

WPR22LA154

Date & Time:

April 16, 2022, 22:26 Local

Registration:

N808LF

Aircraft:

Eurocopter AS 350 B3

Aircraft Damage:

Substantial

Defining Event:

Aircraft servicing event

Injuries:

1 Serious, 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air taxi & commuter - Non-scheduled

Analysis

The pilot of the helicopter reported that, he was on the ramp with the engine running to accomplish a rapid refuel. The fueler was attempting to attach the grounding cable to the helicopter and due to the cable not locking, he maneuvered the cable up and down, which then contacted the main rotor blades. The pilot reported he felt a “violent jolt” and immediately shut the engine down. The fueler’s hands were seriously injured. The main rotor blades were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The fuelers improper action during the refueling process.

Findings

Personnel issues                            Use of equip/system - Ground crew

Factual Information

History of Flight

Prior to flight                                Aircraft servicing event (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate:

Commercial; Flight instructor

Age:

33,Male

Airplane Rating(s):

None

Seat Occupied:

Right

Other Aircraft Rating(s):

Helicopter

Restraint Used:

3-point

Instrument Rating(s):

Helicopter

Second Pilot Present:

No

Instructor Rating(s):

Helicopter

Toxicology Performed:

 

Medical Certification:

Class 2 Without waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam:

August 13, 2021

Occupational Pilot:

Yes

Last Flight Review or Equivalent:

 

Flight Time:

7172.4 hours (Total, all aircraft), 445.1 hours (Total, this make and model), 7114 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 31.1 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 10.8 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make:

Eurocopter

Registration:

N808LF

Model/Series:

AS 350 B3

Aircraft Category:

Helicopter

Year of Manufacture:

2010

Amateur Built:

 

Airworthiness Certificate:

Normal

Serial Number:

4983

Landing Gear Type:

Skid

Seats:

5

Date/Type of Last Inspection:

April 14, 2022 Continuous airworthiness

Certified Max Gross Wt.:

5225 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection:

14 Hrs

Engines:

1 Turbo shaft

Airframe Total Time:

3931 Hrs as of last inspection

Engine Manufacturer:

Turbomeca

ELT:

Installed

Engine Model/Series:

Arriel 2B1

Registered Owner:

 

Rated Power:

747 Horsepower

Operator:

 

Operating Certificate(s) Held:

On-demand air taxi (135)

Operator Does Business As:

Medical Evacuation Air Taxi

Operator Designator Code:

 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:

Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light:

Night

Observation Facility, Elevation:

KDVT METAR,1478 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site:

0 Nautical Miles

Observation Time:

04:53 Local

Direction from Accident Site:

 

Lowest Cloud Condition:

Clear

Visibility

10 miles

Lowest Ceiling:

None

Visibility (RVR):

 

Wind Speed/Gusts:

9 knots /

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:

/

Wind Direction:

240°

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:

/

Altimeter Setting:

29.94 inches Hg

Temperature/Dew Point:

23°C / 0°C

Precipitation and Obscuration:

Departure Point:

Deer Valley, AZ

Type of Flight Plan Filed:

None

Destination:

Deer Valley, AZ

Type of Clearance:

VFR

Departure Time:

 

Type of Airspace:

Class D

Airport Information

Airport:

Deer Valley DVT

Runway Surface Type:

 

Airport Elevation:

1478 ft msl

Runway Surface Condition:

Dry

Runway Used:

 

IFR Approach:

None

Runway Length/Width:

 

VFR Approach/Landing:

None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries:

1 None

Aircraft Damage:

Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

N/A

Aircraft Fire:

None

Ground Injuries:

1 Serious

Aircraft Explosion:

None

Total Injuries:

1 Serious, 1 None

Latitude, Longitude:

33.411331,-112.04447

Administrative Information

Investigator In Charge (IIC):

Bledsoe, James

 

Additional Participating Persons:

Daniel Griedein; FAA FSDO; Scottsdale, AZ

 

Original Publish Date:

October 6, 2022                                                                Investigation Class:

4

Note:

The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.

 

Investigation Docket:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104956

 

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