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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