Eurocopter EC130 N55GJ

Summary

On 3 August 2020 at about 23:41 local time, a Eurocopter EC130 registered N55GJ was involved in an accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, United States. 4 people were on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 August 2020 at 23:41

Classification

Accident

Location

Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Coordinates

35.9453, -83.9564

Aircraft

Eurocopter EC130

Registration

N55GJ

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2003

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Knoxville → Knoxville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA20LA273

1 person died.

The pilot's entry into vortex ring state and his inability to arrest the helicopter's descent while maneuvering for landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot was returning to his property located adjacent to a river. As the helicopter descended toward the water at a 25° angle with low forward airspeed, the pilot applied power to arrest the descent. However, the helicopter continued to descend until it impacted the river short of the intended landing area. The pilot and two passengers survived the impact and a third passenger drowned. The investigation revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have prevented the normal operation of the helicopter. Recovered flight data indicated the engine was producing power at the time of impact. Weather reports and statements from the pilot and witnesses indicated that the helicopter descended steeply with little forward airspeed and a tailwind of about 5 knots, which is a flight profile conducive to vortex ring state. The pilot’s reported lack of collective authority when increasing power to arrest the helicopter’s descent is also consistent with the helicopter entering vortex ring state. A pilot's failure to monitor altitude, airspeed, and rate of descent during an approach can result in a flight profile conducive to vortex ring state.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.