Eurocopter EC 130 B4 N974BR

Summary

On 3 July 2015 at about 23:30 local time, a Eurocopter EC 130 B4 registered N974BR, operated by Jayhawk Inc, was involved in an accident near Somerset, Colorado, United States. 5 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 July 2015 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Somerset, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

38.9889, -107.3483

Aircraft

Eurocopter EC 130 B4

Registration

N974BR

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2009

Engines

1

Operator

Jayhawk Inc

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Aspen → Somerset

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN15CA312

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude when he was aware that there were wires in the area which resulted in the helicopter contacting a wire.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot had flown multiple trips into and out of the ranch prior to the accident. He also had seen wires in the area and had a discussion with local fishing guides regarding the location of wires in the area. As the pilot was preparing to depart the ranch with the last load of passengers he was approached by a guide who wanted to video the helicopter for their website. The pilot agreed and after lifting off, made a pass near the ranch for the video. The pilot stated he was flying toward the mountains when he heard a "small ting" and he knew the helicopter contacted a wire.  He made an uneventful off airport landing in a nearby clearing. Although the pilot stated he never saw the wire it was later determined the helicopter contacted was a small copper static wire. A postaccident inspection of the helicopter revealed two of the three main rotor blades were beyond repair, at least two of the Fenestron blades were beyond repair, and the entire Fenestron stator blade assembly needed to be replaced.  

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.