Pilot Debrief

Eurocopter France AS350 B2 near Hiram, GA — 2008-05-21

Final reportMIA08LA106
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Date
2008-05-21
Location
Hiram, GA, USA
Airport
00GE
Aircraft
Eurocopter France AS350 B2
Registration
N417AE
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Ground

Probable cause

The failure of the starflex arm during engine run-up due to inadequate inspection by maintenance personnel.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that after engine start, the helicopter shook violently as the throttle was advanced to flight rpm. He conducted an emergency shutdown, inspected the helicopter, and discovered that the tail rotor boom was buckled. Further inspection revealed that the main rotor starflex arm was broken. According to the director of maintenance, the starflex arm was overlooked during a conformity inspection. As a result, it was overflown by 586 hours. A review of a manufacturer service bulletin revealed that the service life on the starflex arm was 2,200 hours. At the time of the accident, the total time on the starflex arm was 2,786 hours. Due to the operator's record keeping process, the complex component life limit historical records were overlooked.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Failure to properly track starflex life limits during maintenance.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 15 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents15

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