Pilot Debrief

EUROCOPTER AS 350 B2 near Spofford, TX — 2024-01-12

Final reportCEN24LA088
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Date
2024-01-12
Location
Spofford, TX, USA
Aircraft
EUROCOPTER AS 350 B2
Registration
N204TX
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The fatigue failure of the fuel control unit control lever arm, which resulted in fuel starvation, and a loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The flight crew had competed their aerial observation and were enroute to the destination airport. While enroute, the pilot felt a violent yaw to the right, saw the engine low pressure annunciator illuminate, and heard the low rotor horn. After the engine lost power, the pilot transferred the flight controls to the copilot, who performed an autorotation and landed the helicopter in a brush-covered field. Postaccident examination and testing of the engine revealed that the engine’s fuel control unit (FCU) control lever arm was broken. Metallurgical examination of the control lever arm revealed it had failed due to a fatigue fracture which resulted in a loss of fuel control to the engine and fuel starvation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have returned earlier upon noticing low fuel instead of continuing flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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