Pilot Debrief

EUROCOPTER AS 350 near Tampa, FL — 2019-01-29

Final reportGAA19CA121
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Date
2019-01-29
Location
Tampa, FL, USA
Airport
VDF
Aircraft
EUROCOPTER AS 350
Registration
N680DG
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare while practicing autorotations, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that, during preparation for the pilot's helicopter commercial checkride, they were going to practice autorotation procedures. He added that, during the second autorotation, he saw that the rotor rpm had dropped significantly and that the pilot was pulling up on the collective. He immediately took command of the flight controls and attempted to lower the collective. Subsequently, the helicopter landed hard, bounced, yawed right, bounced again, and then came to rest on the right side of the runway. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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