Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH EC135P1 accident near Shreveport, Louisiana, November 9, 2013
On November 9, 2013 at about 6:45 pm local time, a 1997 Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH EC135P1 (helicopter), registered N911KB, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Shreveport, Louisiana. It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The mechanic's improper installation of the antitorque pedals, which resulted in an in-flight loss of helicopter control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 9, 2013 · about 6:45 pm local time
- Place
- Shreveport, Louisiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH EC135P1, built 1997
- Registration
- N911KB · registry record · serial 0013
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter departed on a local maintenance test flight to perform a hover test. The pilot flew the helicopter toward a nearby field to perform the test and then heard a "pop," and the helicopter subsequently began to spin. The pilot attempted to regain control of the helicopter using the antitorque pedals, but they were ineffective. The pilot reduced engine power and performed an autorotation to the field. The helicopter landed hard and rolled on its right side. Examination of the wreckage found that the antitorque pedals had separated from the antitorque levers. The attachment hardware was not located in the wreckage or the surrounding area. Neither the antitorque pedals nor the lever attachment holes displayed elongation, which is consistent with the hardware bolts not being in place at the time of impact. A review of maintenance logbooks revealed that a mechanic had conducted maintenance on the antitorque pedals 9 days before the accident flight. After the accident, a parts bag containing bolts similar to the bolts needed to secure the antitorque pedals was found in the maintenance facility where the maintenance was performed. Based on the evidence, it is likely that the mechanic reinstalled the antitorque pedals without the required attachment hardware, which allowed the antitorque pedals to separate from the antitorque levers during flight and led to the loss of helicopter control.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Maintenance personnel
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,245 hours in all; 456 in this make and model; 52 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 3,788 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 24, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,430 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, October 28, 2013; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,997 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: P&W Canada PW206B (turboshaft); 6,355 hours total
- Engine 2: P&W Canada PW206B (turboshaft); 2,911 hours total
- Operator: Metro Aviation INC
The flight
- Departed from: Shreveport LA at 6:27 pm
- Destination: Shreveport LA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 10,000 ft; ovct at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from KGGG, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.