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GAA17CA344

2017-05-25 · Peach Springs, Arizona, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 1G4

Current FAA registration · N153GC

Make / Model
EUROCOPTER EC 130 B4
Year of manufacture
2010 · 7 years old at event
Engine
TURBOMECA ARRIEL 2B1 (747 hp)
Seats / Engines
6 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20110304
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A0D5ED

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

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.

Factual 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. 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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Lack of action-Ground crew - C
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft structures-Doors-Passenger/crew doors-Capability exceeded

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2017_GAA17CA344.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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