Airbus Helicopters EC130 N254DM accident near Carta Valley, Texas

Probable cause

The right rear-seat passenger’s improper judgement to release his restraint system and depart the helicopter while in a hover, which resulted in him sustaining serious injuries. Contributing to the accident was his impairment from effects of alcohol consumption.

NTSB analysis

The helicopter departed for a low-level flight to perform aerial hunting of wild pigs on a remote ranch. During the flight, several herds of wild pigs were located and were engaged by the two rear-seat passengers. Shortly after, the pilot brought the helicopter to an out-of-ground effect hover, about 50 ft above ground level (agl), and assessed that the helicopter needed to be refueled. The helicopter was slowly moving forward during the hover when the left rear-seat passenger observed, from the “corner of his eye” as he was turning his head, the right rear-seat passenger depart the helicopter. Just before departing the helicopter, the right rear-seat passenger was facing forward. He then turned his body about 90° to the right facing out of the helicopter, he stepped on the pedestal mounted on the right skid, stood up, and then took a step forward.

The left rear-seat passenger notified the pilot about what he observed, and the pilot landed the helicopter. The injured passenger was unconscious with serious injuries. The injured passenger was loaded onto the helicopter, both cabin doors were closed, and the helicopter departed. The passenger was transported for medical treatment. The helicopter was not damaged.

The passenger did not provide a statement to the NTSB.

The helicopter owner reported that while in the out-of-ground effect hover, the passenger may have thought the helicopter was near the ground when he decided to depart the helicopter. The helicopter owner also reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. Postaccident examination of the right rear passenger seat and restraint system did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Postaccident download of the accident flight engine data showed normal engine performance.

Toxicological evidence indicates that the injured passenger had consumed alcohol before the accident. Hospital testing measured a serum ethanol level of 0.067 g/dL about 2.6 hours after the accident. During the flight, the injured passenger was quiet, did not do or say anything abnormal, and did not appear to have been intoxicated. Based on this evidence, the injured passenger was likely experiencing impairing ethanol effects at the time of the accident. Such effects likely included worsened perception, judgment, and/or coordination that increased the likelihood of an accident. Thus, the injured passenger’s alcohol impairment likely contributed to his improper judgment to release his restraint system and depart the helicopter while in a hover.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA178 for the full record.