Eurocopter EC130 N153GC

Summary

On 25 May 2017 at about 23:30 local time, a Eurocopter EC130 registered N153GC was involved in an accident near Peach Springs, Arizona, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 May 2017 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Peach Springs, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Grand Canyon West (1G4)

Coordinates

35.9847, -113.8172

Aircraft

Eurocopter EC130

Registration

N153GC

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2010

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Peach Springs

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA344

Nobody was injured.

The ground crewman’s failure to hold onto the passenger door while the main rotor was still rotating, which resulted in the door separating from the helicopter and damaging the main rotor.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the helicopter reported that, after fueling the helicopter with the engine running, the ground crewman opened the front passenger door on the opposite side from the pilot. Upon unlatching the door, the ground crewman released the door, and it was blown open. The door separated from the door strut and struck the main rotor, damaging the blades. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.