Saturday, May 10, 2025

Eurocopter EC 130T2 (Airbus Helicopters H130), N3WL, accident occurred on February 13, 2025, at Canyonlands Regional Airport (CNY/KCNY), Moab, Utah






Aviation Investigation Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Investigator In Charge (IIC): Swick, Andrwe

Additional Participating Entities:

  • James Hill; FAA-FSDO; Salt Lake City, UT

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199715/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199715

Well Lived Mt LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Search/NNumberResult?NNumberTxt=N3WL

Location: Moab, Utah 
Accident Number: WPR25LA093 
Date & Time: February 13, 2025, 10:50 Local 
Registration: N3WL
Aircraft: Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 Aircraft 
Damage: Substantial 
Defining Event: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) 
Injuries: 7 None 
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Unknown 

Analysis:

The pilot reported that shortly after he lifted off from a helipad, a window dislodged from a nearby hangar door and impacted the helicopter’s main rotor blade from behind, which in a loss of lift and an excessive vibration. The pilot initiated an emergency landing and subsequently landed hard. One of the main rotor blades was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause:

The inflight collision with debris during takeoff.

Findings

  • Environmental issues Debris/dirt/foreign object - Effect on operation 
  • Aircraft Main rotor blade system - Damaged/degraded

History of Flight 

  • Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) (Defining event) 
  • Landing: Hard landing

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