Eurocopter France EC 130 B4 N808MH

Summary

On 27 September 2007 at about 21:40 local time, a Eurocopter France EC 130 B4 registered N808MH, operated by Maverick Helicopters, Inc., was involved in an accident near Meadview, Arizona, United States. 8 people were on board and 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 September 2007 at 21:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Meadview, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Pearce Ferry (L25)

Coordinates

36.0875, -114.0806

Aircraft

Eurocopter France EC 130 B4

Registration

N808MH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Maverick Helicopters, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Las Vegas → Grand Canyon

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX07LA281

3 people had minor injuries.

Collision with a bird during cruise flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot observed one large bird ahead to the left and below the helicopter while cruising between 100 and 120 knots, and 500 feet above terrain. Another large bird, tentatively believed to be a Golden eagle with an 8-foot wingspan, suddenly appeared directly ahead of the helicopter. Although the lower elevation bird passed left of the helicopter, the second bird impacted the helicopter in the area of the front windscreen (bubble). The center front and left windscreens shattered, and debris impacted and injured the pilot and two passengers. The pilot immediately commenced a shallow bank turn toward a nearby airport while descending for landing. The air tour sightseeing flight helicopter was equipped with a video camera, which captured images of the approaching birds.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.