American Eurocopter Corp AS350B3 accident near Peach Springs, AZ
On May 18, 2014, an American Eurocopter Corp AS350B3 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Peach Springs, AZ. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- May 18, 2014
- Place
- Peach Springs, AZ
- Aircraft
- American Eurocopter Corp AS350B3 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 35.992°N, 113.781°W
- NTSB ID
- 20140518X03315
Official records · WPR14FA195
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 18, 2014, about 1600 mountain standard time (MST), an American Eurocopter Corp, AS350B3E, N840PA, rolled over after landing at the Ramada landing site located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon near Grand Canyon West Airport (1G4), Peach Springs, Arizona. Papillon Airways Inc., DBA Grand Canyon Helicopters, was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The commercial pilot with a flight instructor (FI) certificate was fatally injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The local repositioning flight departed 1G4 about 1555. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan had been filed. The accident site was 1.75 nm east of 1G4, located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, approximately 380 feet west of the Colorado River (west shore). The wreckage was found resting on its right side located at the subject landing pad. Witnesses reported that the pilot reported over the radio that he was inbound to land, and was planning on exiting the helicopter to perform a "fluid level check." After landing, the pilot exited the running helicopter; the helicopter was observed going airborne and then impacting the ground and rolling over. The pilot was struck by one or more of the main rotor blades, and was fatally injured. The helicopter was examined on site by the investigation team. No abnormalities with the helicopter's airframe or engine systems were noted. The helicopter was recovered for further examination. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The operator reported that the 26-year old pilo
Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to exit the helicopter while it was running and his failure to properly secure the flight controls with the engine operating at flight idle before exiting the helicopter.
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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
