Eurocopter France EC 130 B4 N133HN

Summary

On 29 January 2016 at about 18:03 local time, a Eurocopter France EC 130 B4 registered N133HN, operated by Air Methods Corporation, was involved in an accident near Shoals, West Virginia, United States. 3 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

29 January 2016 at 18:03

Classification

Accident

Location

Shoals, West Virginia, United States

Coordinates

38.3428, -82.4747

Aircraft

Eurocopter France EC 130 B4

Registration

N133HN

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2011

Engines

1

Operator

Air Methods Corporation

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Huntington → Louisa

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA16LA098

Nobody was injured.

The improper locking of the rear passenger door by the specialty nurse, which resulted in the door separating from the helicopter in flight.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Before takeoff for the positioning flight, the specialty nurse slid closed and latched the left rear door. About 5 minutes after departure, while the helicopter was in cruise flight, the left rear door opened and then separated from the helicopter. The pilot diverted the helicopter to a nearby airport and landed uneventfully. The door was recovered, and postaccident examination revealed that the damage to the door and the airframe was consistent with the damage having incurred during the door's separation from the helicopter. Postaccident examination did not reveal any evidence of preexisting damage of the door frame, door, or door's locking mechanism that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the specialty nurse locked the door incorrectly, which resulted in an inadvertent in-flight door opening as the helicopter was traveling 55 knots faster than the manufacturer's specified never-to-exceed speed for operating with the door open, and subsequent separation of the door from the helicopter.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.