Hughes OH-6A, USDA APHIS WS ATOC, N6640Z: Accident occurred February 08, 2017 in Price, Utah

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Docket And Docket Items -  National Transportation Safety Board:   https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Aviation Accident Factual Report -  National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office: Salt Lake City, Utah

USDA APHIS WS ATOC: http://registry.faa.gov/N6640Z

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA135
14 CFR Public Aircraft
Accident occurred Wednesday, February 08, 2017 in Price, UT
Probable Cause Approval Date: 04/04/2017
Aircraft: HUGHES OH 6A, registration: N6640Z
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The helicopter pilot reported that, after landing to refuel, he reduced power to flight idle and initiated a 2-minute cooldown before shutting off the engine. One minute into the cooldown, the fuel truck approached the helicopter from the rear and struck the main rotor blades.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

The fuel truck driver’s failure to stop before impacting the helicopter’s main rotor blades.

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA135
14 CFR Public Aircraft
Accident occurred Wednesday, February 08, 2017 in Price, UT
Aircraft: HUGHES OH 6A, registration: N6640Z
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The helicopter pilot reported that after landing to refuel, he reduced power to flight idle and initiated a 2-minute cool down prior to shutting off the engine. He further reported that one minute into the cool down, the fuel truck approached the helicopter from the rear and struck the main rotor blades.

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.