No fatalities

11 Sep 2014: BELL 407 — MINUTEMAN AVIATION INC — Moab, UT

Moab, UT, United States

On 11 Sep 2014, a BELL 407 operated by MINUTEMAN AVIATION INC was involved in an aviation accident near Moab, UT. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to ensure adequate clearance from terrain while landing on sloped terrain. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 13 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A helicopter's main rotor blades struck a boulder while positioning on upsloping terrain, causing the aircraft to roll onto its side and sustain substantial fuselage damage.

Accident Overview

A helicopter dispatched to transport two ground crew members to a new location was involved in an accident during a landing attempt. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Sequence of Events

The pilot positioned the helicopter with the front skids facing upsloping terrain. During this maneuver, the main rotor blades impacted a large boulder. The impact caused the helicopter to pitch backward and then roll onto its right side. The aircraft subsequently slid down the hill before coming to a rest.

Damage and Inspection

During the accident sequence, the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. No further damage items are specified in the source. The pilot's report indicates that the helicopter was operating normally prior to the impact.

Contributing factors

PilotAltitude — Not attained/maintainedAwareness of condition