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July 20, 2022 · Eurocopter Deutschland Gmbh EC 135 P2+ · N228MT

Mount Vernon, IL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 20, 2022
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Mount Vernon, IL
Aircraft
Eurocopter Deutschland Gmbh EC 135 P2+ (2010)
Tail Number
N228MT
Operator
Air Evac Lifeteam
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN22LA328

During the landing, the pilot lowered the helicopter air ambulance down to the concrete pad. Shortly before touchdown, a cloth fire extinguisher cover from a nearby mobile fueling unit was blown airborne from the main rotor system wash. The cloth fire extinguisher cover was ingested into the tail rotor (the fenestron). During the cloth fire extinguisher cover ingestion sequence, the fenestron hub flexed, the metal fenestron hub cover detached, and it was also ingested. The pilot was able to land the helicopter without further incident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fenestron. The evidence indicated that the ingestion of the metal fenestron hub cover contributed to the severity of the damage sustained. The operator reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and the engines that would have precluded normal operation. The investigation revealed that the cloth fire extinguisher cover, which did not have a lanyard installed, was not secured with the retention bracket for the fire extinguisher on the mobile fueling unit. The operator additionally reported that foreign object debris checks are conducted by crew members anytime they are on the pad and that the mobile fueling unit is inspected during the daily fuel quality check. The Accident Investigation Board Norway along with the European Aviation Safety Agency, previously issued a formal safety recommendation to Eurocopter (Airbus) regarding the securement of the metal fenestron hub cover.

NTSB Probable Cause

The inadequate securement of the cloth fire extinguisher cover, which resulted in it being blown off the fire extinguisher and ingested into the helicopter’s fenestron during the landing.

Full Narrative

During the landing, the pilot lowered the helicopter air ambulance down to the concrete pad. Shortly before touchdown, a cloth fire extinguisher cover from a nearby mobile fueling unit was blown airborne from the main rotor system wash. The cloth fire extinguisher cover was ingested into the tail rotor (the fenestron). During the cloth fire extinguisher cover ingestion sequence, the fenestron hub flexed, the metal fenestron hub cover detached, and it was also ingested. The pilot was able to land the helicopter without further incident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fenestron. The evidence indicated that the ingestion of the metal fenestron hub cover contributed to the severity of the damage sustained. The operator reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and the engines that would have precluded normal operation. The investigation revealed that the cloth fire extinguisher cover, which did not have a lanyard installed, was not secured with the retention bracket for the fire extinguisher on the mobile fueling unit. The operator additionally reported that foreign object debris checks are conducted by crew members anytime they are on the pad and that the mobile fueling unit is inspected during the daily fuel quality check. The Accident Investigation Board Norway along with the European Aviation Safety Agency, previously issued a formal safety recommendation to Eurocopter (Airbus) regarding the securement of the metal fenestron hub cover.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:41 CDT
Nearest AirportMount Vernon (0nm SSW)
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEurocopter Deutschland Gmbh EC 135 P2+
Tail NumberN228MT
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAir Evac Lifeteam
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney Canada · PW206B2 · Turboshaft · 447 | Pratt & Whitney Canada · PW206B2 · Turboshaft · 447
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind170° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.82 inHg
Observation Time19:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data