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February 25, 2021 · Eurocopter EC130 B4 · N259AM

Tulsa, OK

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 25, 2021
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Tulsa, OK
Aircraft
Eurocopter EC130 B4 (2011)
Tail Number
N259AM
Operator
Air Methods
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN21LA153

After a west-southwest approach to the airport the pilot entered a low altitude hover near a taxiway intersection where he intended to turn left and join a north/south taxiway before continuing in a hover taxi south toward the ramp. During the counterclockwise turn to join the taxiway, the helicopter’s yaw rate increased as the tail passed through the north-northeast wind. The pilot allowed the helicopter to continue in the turn, despite an increasing left yaw rate, until the nose of the helicopter had realigned with the wind. However, at that point, he was unable to stop the counterclockwise rotation and the helicopter completed at least 2 revolutions before a landing skid struck the ground and the helicopter spun off the taxiway into a grass easement. The pilot and two medical personnel were not injured. The horizontal stabilizer attach fitting on the tail boom was fractured and required replacement. The operator did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. According to a weather report issued about 6 minutes before the accident, the surface wind at the airport was from north-northeast at 8 knots. During the subsequent hour, the wind direction remained unchanged, but the wind speed had increased to 11 knots with 17 knot gusts. A loss of tail rotor effectiveness likely occurred when the helicopter encountered a wind gust during the left turn, which resulted in an increasing counterclockwise yaw rate that the pilot was unable to control.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s improper decision to approach the airport and enter a low altitude hover with a gusting quartering tailwind, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness during a turn at a low altitude.

Full Narrative

After a west-southwest approach to the airport the pilot entered a low altitude hover near a taxiway intersection where he intended to turn left and join a north/south taxiway before continuing in a hover taxi south toward the ramp. During the counterclockwise turn to join the taxiway, the helicopter’s yaw rate increased as the tail passed through the north-northeast wind. The pilot allowed the helicopter to continue in the turn, despite an increasing left yaw rate, until the nose of the helicopter had realigned with the wind. However, at that point, he was unable to stop the counterclockwise rotation and the helicopter completed at least 2 revolutions before a landing skid struck the ground and the helicopter spun off the taxiway into a grass easement. The pilot and two medical personnel were not injured. The horizontal stabilizer attach fitting on the tail boom was fractured and required replacement. The operator did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. According to a weather report issued about 6 minutes before the accident, the surface wind at the airport was from north-northeast at 8 knots. During the subsequent hour, the wind direction remained unchanged, but the wind speed had increased to 11 knots with 17 knot gusts. A loss of tail rotor effectiveness likely occurred when the helicopter encountered a wind gust during the left turn, which resulted in an increasing counterclockwise yaw rate that the pilot was unable to control.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:59 CST
Nearest AirportRichard Lloyd Jones, Jr. (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEurocopter EC130 B4
Tail NumberN259AM
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAir Methods
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · Arriel 2B1 · Turboshaft · 747
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind20° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 F / 30 F
Altimeter30.29 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data