AEROSPATIALE AS350B2 near Camden, SC — 2011-05-03

Probable cause

The instructor pilot did not maintain adequate helicopter control while maneuvering, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

The instructor pilot had completed two night training flights in the helicopter, which included rapid decelerations, autorotations (including standard, hovering, and turning), sloping ground landings, and simulated hydraulic failures. The instructor pilot reported that at no time during the flights did he experience a hard landing or ground contact with the lower fin tail guard; however, a subsequent inspection revealed damage to the tailboom and tail rotor gearbox that was consistent with a hard landing. In addition, the lower fin tail guard contained fresh ground-contact marks, which were not present prior to the training flights.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Mechanical failure

First missed decision gate

Inspection prior to second flight did not identify tail boom damage.

NTSB coding

• Hard landing · Landing

Evidence available

• Photos
• 8 docket documents

Docket documents8

• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
• Operator Personnel and FAA Inspector Statementsinterview
• Email from Eurocopterother
• NTSB Helicopter Accident/incident Checklist Supplement (with excerpts)other
• Photograph # 1 – Right side of tail boom (Photograph provided by Operator)photos
• Photograph #2 – Buckling observed to side of tail boom (Photograph provided by Operator)photos
• Photograph #3 – Buckling observed to underside of tail boom (Photograph provided by Operator)photos
• Photograph #4 – Damage observed to lower fin tail guard (Photograph provided by Operator)photos

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