Probable cause
The passenger's accidental discharge of the net gun which resulted in the net going through a main rotor blade.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he took off and hovered about 100 feet above the ground when the net gun, which was held by the passenger, accidentally discharged. The helicopter started to vibrate; the pilot landed the helicopter uneventfully and shut it down. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed the net went through one of the main rotor blades and damaged the others. There were no reported preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR14CA066 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 6, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Monticello, Utah
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E
- N-number
- N2066W
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1997
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Business
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.