National Transportation Safety Board

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report

Location: Peach Springs, AZ Accident Number: WPR18FA087

Date & Time: 02/10/2018, 1715 MST Registration: N155GC
Aircraft: EUROCOPTER EC130 Injuries: 3 Fatal, 4 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Non-scheduled - Sightseeing

On February 10, 2018, about 1715 mountain standard time, an Airbus Helicopters EC130 B4
helicopter, N155GC, was destroyed when it impacted a canyon wash while on an approach to
land at Quartermaster landing zone near Peach Springs, Arizona. The commercial pilot and
three passengers sustained serious injuries and three passengers were fatally injured. The air-
tour flight was operated by Papillon Airways, Inc. under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 136. The helicopter departed Boulder City Municipal Airport, Boulder City,
Nevada at 1635 and had intended to land at Quartermaster landing zone, a group of landing
pads within Quartermaster canyon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company
flight plan had been filed.

A review of the recorded radar data showed that the helicopter departed Boulder City and
continued on the Green 4 standard helicopter route prescribed in the Grand Canyon West
Special Flight Rules Area 50-2. Witnesses reported that as the helicopter neared the vicinity of
Quartermaster, they observed it on a flight path consistent with the pilot aligning to make a
downriver-wind landing to a pad on the west. The helicopter began to slow after it passed over
the river and maintained a southern course as it entered a canyon wash adjacent to the landing
pads. While maintaining the same altitude, the helicopter entered a nose-high attitude and
then began a left turn toward the Quartermaster landing zone. During the turn, the helicopter
transitioned into a nose-low attitude and as it began to face the landing pads it began to slightly
drift aft. The helicopter then maneuvered into a nose-level configuration and continued in the
left turn. Subsequently, the helicopter made at least two 360° left turn revolutions as it
descended into the wash below where it impacted terrain and a postcrash fire ensued.

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This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.
The helicopter came to rest upright in rocky terrain about 300 feet below the landing zone on a
heading of 222° magnetic. The accident site was compact except for small main rotor blade
pieces and small paint chips distributed around the main wreckage site. Most of the wreckage
was consumed by the postcrash fire except for the tailboom and fenestron, which had
separated from, but were collocated with the main fuselage. The engine, still attached to the
engine deck, was found in the main wreckage and had also sustained fire damage. All three
main rotor blades remained attached to the main rotor hub and exhibited damage consistent
with high rotational energy. The tail stinger, fenestron hub cover, a toe from a skid step, and
small pieces of transparent acrylic glass were found on a canyon slope east of the main
wreckage.

The 8-seat capacity, fixed landing gear helicopter, serial number 7091, was manufactured in
2010. The accident helicopter was powered by one Safran Helicopter Engines (formerly
Turbomeca) Arriel 2B1 turboshaft engine.

Page 2 of 3 WPR18FA087
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Manufacturer: EUROCOPTER Registration: N155GC
Model/Series: EC130 B4 Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Papillon Airways, Inc. Operating Certificate(s) Commercial Air Tour (136);
Held: Agricultural Aircraft (137);
Rotorcraft External Load
(133); On-demand Air Taxi
(135)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PRIV Observation Time: 1710 MST
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / -3°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Wind Speed/Gusts, 12 knots/ 19 knots, 360°
Direction:
Lowest Ceiling: Visibility:
Altimeter Setting: 29.62 inches Hg Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Departure Point: BOULDER CITY, NV (BVU) Destination: Peach Springs, AZ

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 3 Fatal, 3 Serious Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A Aircraft Explosion: Unknown
Total Injuries: 3 Fatal, 4 Serious Latitude, Longitude: 35.967222, -113.768889 (est)
Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Stephen R Stein
Additional Participating Persons: Patrick Hempen; Federal Aviation Administration; DC
John Waugh; Federal Aviation Administration; Las Vegas, NV
Yann Torres; Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses; Toulouse, FN
John Becker; Papillon Airways, Inc.; Boulder City, NV
Note: The NTSB traveled to the scene of this accident.

Page 3 of 3 WPR18FA087
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.