Eurocopter EC130 N11QP

Summary

On 19 August 2018 at about 23:20 local time, a Eurocopter EC130 registered N11QP was involved in an accident near Hilo, Hawaii, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 August 2018 at 23:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Hilo, Hawaii, United States

Nearest airport

Hilo Intl (ITO)

Coordinates

19.6436, -154.9845

Aircraft

Eurocopter EC130

Registration

N11QP

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2009

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hilo → Hilo

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR18TA239

1 person had minor injuries.

The separation of the left sliding door in flight after it opened for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in damage to the main rotor blades.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, before departing, he conducted a walk-around inspection of the helicopter, during which he visually checked to ensure all the doors and cowlings were closed and secured. The pilot departed on the flight with the maintenance apprentice, who was seated in the right front seat. While the flight was en route back to the airport, the left-rear sliding door suddenly slid open, separated from the helicopter, and struck two of the three main rotor blades. The pilot performed a precautionary landing to a field. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to two main rotor blades. The helicopter’s left sliding door tracks and door latch assemblies were normal and unremarkable. The plastic latch on the fuselage which supports the sliding rear door when opened was damaged, and a portion had separated from the fuselage. The sliding door fell into the ocean and was not recovered, thereby preventing examination of the door and its locking components. After the accident, Airbus Helicopters published an alert service bulletin requiring a mandatory spring-scale check on all sliding door-equipped EC-130 B4 helicopters to ensure correct operation of the sliding door locking system.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.