Aviation Investigation Preliminary Report
Location: Halloran Springs, CA Accident Number: CEN24MA111
Date & Time: February 9, 2024, 22:08 Local Registration: N130CZ
Aircraft: Airbus Helicopters EC130 Injuries: 6 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air taxi & commuter - Non-scheduled
On February 9, 2024, about 2208 Pacific standard time, an Airbus Helicopters EC 130B4
helicopter, N130CZ, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Halloran Springs,
California. The two pilots and four passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was
operated by Orbic Air, LLC, as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand flight.
According to automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) data and operator
personnel, the flight departed the operator’s base at Bob Hope Airport, Burbank, California, at
1822, to reposition the helicopter for a charter passenger flight and arrived at the Palm Springs
International Airport (PSP), Palm Springs, California, at 1907.
The accident flight departed PSP at 2045 under visual flight rules and flew a northwesterly
heading for about 2 miles before following US Highway 111 to Interstate (I) 10 at altitudes
varying between 2,500 - 3,000 ft mean sea level (msl). The helicopter continued along I-10,
crossed over San Bernadino International Airport, San Bernadino, California, and then followed
I-215 to I-15.
The helicopter followed I-15 toward the planned destination of Boulder City Municipal Airport
(BVU), Boulder City, Nevada, climbed between 4,000 - 5,500 ft msl, then descended to about
3,500 ft msl near Barstow, California, where the ADS-B track data was lost about 2146, likely
due to terrain interference. ADS-B data resumed at 2207 near the Halloran Springs/I-15 exit
west of the accident location. The last ADS-B data points for the flight tracked east-southeast,
gradually descended in altitude, and increased in ground speed (see Figures 1 and 2). The
accident site was located 0.31 miles east-southeast of the last data point at an elevation of
about 3,360 ft msl.
Page 1 of 6 CEN24MA111
This information is preliminary and subject to change.
Figure 1. Overhead view of accident flight track.
Figure 2. Final segment of flight track data with time, altitude (msl), ground speed and heading
information.
Page 2 of 6 CEN24MA111
This information is preliminary and subject to change.
According to law enforcement, several witnesses who were traveling in vehicles on I-15, called
911 to report observing a “fireball” to the south. The witnesses reported the weather
conditions in the area were “not good” and raining with a snow mix. The accident site was
located by law enforcement at 2346.
The wreckage was located in high mountainous desert and scrub brush covered terrain, and
debris were scattered about 300 ft along a 120° magnetic heading from the initial impact
point. The initial impact point, which was a 1.5 ft deep, 12 ft long and 10 ft wide ground crater,
contained portions of the right landing gear skid, right skid step, cockpit wiring, and cabin floor
structure. The right skid step protruded upward at a 45° angle at the most eastern edge of the
ground crater (see Figure 3). Immediately to the right of the crater was a ground divot
consistent in the size and shape of the rotor head, with 2 main rotor blade impact marks
extending from the divot.
Figure 3. Initial impact ground crater and debris field.
All major helicopter components were identified at the accident site. The fuselage was
fragmented, and the cockpit and cabin were destroyed. Some debris and vegetation displayed
thermal damage. The flight control tubes and linkages leading up to the flight control servos
were fragmented and continuity could not be verified. All three pitch control links were
attached at the swashplate and blade pitch change horns. The main rotor blades were
fragmented and broomstrawed, and the blade sleeves and tips were present (see Figure 4).
Page 3 of 6 CEN24MA111
This information is preliminary and subject to change.
Figure 4. Rotor mast and rotor head.
The fenestron tail section with the tail fin and horizontal stabilizer separated from the forward
part of the tail boom. All the fenestron blades remained in their hubs and the blade tips
displayed chordwise scratches (see Figure 5). The engine displayed rotational damage
signatures and metal deposits consistent with powered operations at impact.
Page 4 of 6 CEN24MA111
This information is preliminary and subject to change.
Figure 5. Tail fin and fenestron.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Airbus Helicopters Registration: N130CZ
Model/Series: EC130 B4 Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built:
Operator: ORBIC AIR LLC Operating Certificate(s) On-demand air taxi (135)
Held:
Operator Designator Code: 1OBA
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: KBYS,2350 ft msl Observation Time: 21:55 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 38 Nautical Miles Temperature/Dew Point: 7°C /0°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / None, 210°
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 5500 ft AGL Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.91 inches Hg Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: Palm Springs, CA (PSP) Destination: Boulder City, NV
Page 5 of 6 CEN24MA111
This information is preliminary and subject to change.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 Fatal Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 4 Fatal Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries: Aircraft Explosion: On-ground
Total Injuries: 6 Fatal Latitude, Longitude: 35.37304,-115.86357
Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Sauer, Aaron
Additional Participating Persons: David Gerlach; FAA; Washington, DC
Steve Gould; Orbic Air LLC; Burbank, CA
Vincent Ecalle; Bureau d'Enquetes et d'Analyses
Seth Buttner; Airbus Helicopters North America; Grand Prairie, TX
Bryan Larimore; Safran Group; Grand Prairie, TX
Investigation Class: Class 3
Note: The NTSB traveled to the scene of this accident.
Page 6 of 6 CEN24MA111
This information is preliminary and subject to change.
