Probable cause
The inflight collision with debris during takeoff.
NTSB 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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR25LA093 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 13, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Moab, Utah
- Nearest airport
- Canyonlands Regional Airport (CNY)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2
- N-number
- N3WL
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2023
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- UNK
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.