Summary
On February 08, 2017, a Hughes OH 6A (N6640Z) was involved in an incident near Price, UT. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The fuel truck driver’s failure to stop before impacting the helicopter’s main rotor blades.
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.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA135. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N6640Z.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The fuel truck driver’s failure to stop before impacting the helicopter’s main rotor blades.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
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.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA135