Eurocopter EC130 accident near Deer Isle, Maine, August 1, 2009
On August 1, 2009 at about 8:56 pm local time, a Eurocopter EC130 (helicopter), registered MBOAT, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (hover) near Deer Isle, Maine. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of directional control during an out-of-ground-effect hover.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 1, 2009 · about 8:56 pm local time
- Place
- Deer Isle, Maine · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter EC130 B4 · all EC130s on the register
- Registration
- MBOAT · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter departed a private yacht and was flying along an island shoreline at approximately 400 feet above mean sea level when the pilot entered an out-of-ground effect hover and initiated a left-pedal turn. The helicopter started turning faster than commanded, and the pilot was unable to regain control. The helicopter subsequently lost altitude and impacted the water. Prior to impacting the water, the pilot deployed the emergency skid-mounted floats to prevent sinking. According to the pilot, "the accident was totally pilot error with no mechanical malfunction." Examination of the wreckage confirmed no evidence of any mechanical malfunction or failure.
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
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (hover) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › (general) › (general) › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,180 hours in all; 55 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 77 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 26, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 5,350 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Turbomeca ARRIEL2 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Deer Island ME at 8:50 pm
- Destination: Deer Island ME
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,100 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 8:59 pm from rkd, 22 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.