Pilot Debrief

EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND GMBH EC 135 P2+ near Waukesha, WI — 2022-06-18

Final reportCEN22LA258
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Date
2022-06-18
Location
Waukesha, WI, USA
Airport
UES
Aircraft
EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND GMBH EC 135 P2+
Registration
N226SA
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The separation and subsequent ingestion of the fenestron fairing cover into the fenestron blades for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

After takeoff during an air medical flight, about 150 ft above ground level (agl), the pilot heard a "thump,” and the helicopter pitched up. The pilot immediately executed an emergency landing, and all occupants exited the helicopter uninjured. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fenestron blades. Examination of the helicopter at the accident site revealed that the fairing cover was missing from fenestron assembly and was found fragmented about 600 ft in all directions. There was no evidence of a bird strike. The fairing cover fragments that were found showed damage consistent with ingestion into the rotating blades of the fenestron. All attachment hardware for the cover were accounted for and showed no evidence of preaccident failure. The damage to the fenestron housing was consistent with object ingestion. No preaccident failures or malfunctions were found with the fenestron body, fenestron blades, gearbox, or fenestron drive. The helicopter flew about 5.8 hours without incident after the most recent maintenance of the fenestron and no uncorrected maintenance anomalies were found in the maintenance logbooks. The reason for the separation and subsequent ingestion of the fenestron fairing cover into the fenestron blades could not be determined.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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