Eurocopter France EC120B accident near Fair Oaks, CA
On July 14, 2005, an Eurocopter France EC120B (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Fair Oaks, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- July 14, 2005
- Place
- Fair Oaks, CA
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter France EC120B · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 38.639°N, 121.221°W
- NTSB ID
- 20050718X01046
Official records · LAX05GA231
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
1.1 HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 13, 2005, about 1910 Pacific daylight time, a Eurocopter EC120B, N266SD, operating as Star 6, experienced a catastrophic engine failure and collided with terrain near Fair Oaks, California. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department was operating the public-use helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and the front-seat observer sustained fatal injuries; the aft-seated observer trainee sustained serious injuries. The helicopter was destroyed during the accident sequence. The local area flight departed Mather, California, about 1815. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. During interviews with investigators, witnesses stated that they observed the helicopter flying westbound, along the north shore of Lake Natoma. The helicopter continued in that flight path toward the Nimbus Dam over hilly terrain. Witnesses then reported hearing a "pop" and observed flames and smoke emitting from the exhaust of the helicopter. The helicopter then descended, impacting terrain near the bottom of a 60-degree sloped hillside. Upon impact, it bounced and rolled inverted, impacting the terrain again, and coming to rest near the base of the hillside. One witness, who was located on the south side of the lake, commented that the helicopter "seemed awfully low." Another witness stated that he observed and heard the helicopter flying "loud and low," just the north of his location. He witnessed a 2.5-foot yellow flame coming from the base of the engine, just below the main rotor blades. He noted th
Probable cause
The failure of the constant delta P diaphragm in the fuel control unit, which resulted in an increased fuel flow and subsequent catastrophic failure of the engine. The diaphragm's failure was the result of improper installation by the engine manufacturer. A factor in the accident was the unsuitable nature of the terrain for a successful autorotation.
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Browse: California
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
