25 May 2017: EUROCOPTER EC130 B4 — Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters

25 May 2017: EUROCOPTER EC130 B4 — Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters

No fatalities • Peach Springs, AZ, United States

Probable cause

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.

— NTSB Determination

Accident 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.

Contributing factors

  • cause Ground crew
  • Capability exceeded

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 190/17kt, vis 10sm

Related events

Same aircraft

  • 2 Jan 2023 — EUROCOPTER EC130 B4 (—)
  • 25 Feb 2021 — EUROCOPTER EC130 B4 (Air Methods Corporation)
  • 3 Aug 2020 — Eurocopter EC130 B4 (—)
  • 5 Mar 2020 — Eurocopter EC130 B4 (Blue Hawaiian Helicopters)
  • 19 Aug 2018 — Eurocopter EC130 B4 (Blue Hawaiian Helicopters)

Same operator

  • 27 Jun 2017 — EUROCOPTER EC 130 B4 B (Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters)
  • 24 Aug 2016 — AIRBUS AS350 B3 (Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters)
  • 4 Jul 2014 — AMERICAN EUROCOPTER CORP AS350B3 B2 (Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters)
  • 8 Jun 2013 — EUROCOPTER EC 130 B4 (Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters)

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