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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

April 30, 2019 · Aerospatiale AS350 B3 · N350DL

Sula, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 30, 2019
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Sula, MT
Aircraft
Aerospatiale AS350 B3 (2008)
Tail Number
N350DL
Operator
Mission Mountain Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA19CA238

The helicopter pilot reported that, after an agricultural application flight, he set the bucket down in a predetermined operations zone near a semi-truck loading hopper to be refilled. He added that another truck arrived to top off the semi-truck hopper, which emitted fertilizer dust and led to the pilot being concerned that it would deteriorate visibility. He advised the ground crew that he was going to temporarily move out of the operations zone. The pilot reported that he set the bucket in the new temporary operations zone. As the skid steer approached, he eased the helicopter backward to keep the other ground equipment in his view. The pilot heard a "bang," disconnected the helicopter from the long-line, and then landed the helicopter without further incident. Postaccident examination revealed that the auger from the semi-truck hopper was fully extended behind the helicopter and that a tail rotor blade had sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that he might have backed the helicopter into the extended auger. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from ground equipment, which resulted in a tail rotor blade impact.

Full Narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that, after an aerial application flight, he set the bucket down in a pre-determined operations zone near a semi-truck loading hopper to be refilled. He added that another truck arrived to top off the semi-truck hopper, which emitted fertilizer dust that caused the pilot concerns for his deteriorating visibility. He advised the ground crew that he was going to move out of the operations zone temporarily. The pilot reported that he set the bucket in the new temporary operations zone. As the skid steer approached, he eased the helicopter backward to keep the other ground equipment in his view. The pilot heard a "bang", disconnected from his long-line, and landed the helicopter without further incident. Postaccident examination revealed that the auger from the semi-truck hopper was fully extended behind the helicopter and tail rotor blade sustained substantial damage. The pilot suspected that he backed the helicopter into the extended auger. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerospatiale AS350 B3
Tail NumberN350DL
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMission Mountain Helicopters
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsSafran · Arriel 2B1 · Turboshaft · 749
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data