Probable cause
The fuel truck driver’s failure to stop before impacting the helicopter’s main rotor blades.
NTSB analysis
The helicopter pilot reported that, after landing to refuel, he reduced power to flight idle and initiated a 2-minute cooldown before shutting off the engine. One minute into the cooldown, 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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA135 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 8, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Price, Utah
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Hughes OH 6A
- N-number
- N6640Z
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1970
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Public aircraft
- Purpose of flight
- PUBF
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.