Pilot Debrief

BELL 407 near Fort Worth, TX — 2009-09-23

Final reportCEN09CA604
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Date
2009-09-23
Location
Fort Worth, TX, USA
Airport
KAFW
Aircraft
BELL 407
Registration
N6040Y
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

Failure of the pilot to maintain control during landing.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor was demonstrating a landing using the manual Full-Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) mode. While on short final, approximately 3 to 5 feet above ground level, the helicopter quickly descended right and forward. Suspecting wind shear, the flight instructor applied corrective controls but was unable to reverse the downward motion prior to ground contact. The helicopter's left rear skid, then right rear skid, contacted the ground before the flight instructor could bring the helicopter back to a hover. A postflight examination of the helicopter revealed damage to the vertical stabilizer and tail boom.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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