Airbus H130 (EC130T2) Sucks Out Hangar Window; Main Rotor Blade Damaged by FOD (N3WL, Moab, UT)
On 13 February 2025 privately owned Airbus H130 (EC130T2) N3WL was damaged by FOD in the hover at Canyonlands Regional Airport (CNY/KCNY), Moab, Utah.
Damage to a Main Rotor Blade of Airbus H130 N3WL (Credit: Pilot via NTSB)
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) rapidly released a short final report on 9 May 2025. The pilot told the NTSB that shortly lifting into the hover, a window dislodged from a nearby hangar door and impacted a main rotor blade from behind.
Hangar Door & Missing Window (Credit: FAA)
The pilot initiated an emergency landing, landing hard, but without injuries to the 7 occupants. Although the image below seems to indicate damage to the skids, no such damage is reported by NTSB.
Airbus H130 N3WL After Blade Strike (Credit: FAA)
The pilot made two suggested safety recommendations to prevent a reoccurrence:
- A more detailed inspection of the hangar
- Departing from a position further away from the hangar
Damage to a Main Rotor Blade of Airbus H130 N3WL (Credit: Pilot via NTSB)
Safety Resources
The European Safety Promotion Network Rotorcraft (ESPN-R) has a helicopter safety discussion group on LinkedIn. You may also find these Aerossurance articles of interest:
- Fire Extinguisher Cover Fenestron FOD
- FOD and an AS350B3 Accident Landing on a Yacht in Bergen
- Air Ambulance Helicopter Downed by Fencing FOD
- Pedestrian Seriously Injured by Air Ambulance Landing at Melbourne Hospital
- HEMS Downwash Injuries: Two More Case Studies
- Tool Bag Takes Out Tail Rotor: Fatal AS350B2 Accident, Tweed, ON
- Loose Clothing Downs Marijuana Survey Helicopter
- When Habits Kill – Canadian MD500 Accident
- EC120 Forgotten Walkaround
- Fenestron Failure EC130B4 Hawaii
- Business Jet Apron Jet Blast Injury
BP has shared a video on the threat of downwash (albeit with larger helicopters).
Airbus H130 N3WL Inside Hangar After Blade Strike (Credit: FAA)
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