Pilot Debrief

HUGHES 500D near Ambler, AK — 2011-06-27

Final reportANC11CA056
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Date
2011-06-27
Location
Ambler, AK, USA
Aircraft
HUGHES 500D
Registration
C-GLHQ
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's misalignment of the helicopter on the landing structure.

NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot landed a high skid, turbine-powered helicopter at a remote drilling site, and the three passengers disembarked. The remote landing site was constructed of 6-inch by 6-inch wooden beams, which required that the pilot land perpendicular to and on the beams with the helicopter's skids. The pilot reported that after landing he retarded the engine throttle to flight idle to begin the mandatory 2 minute engine cool down procedure. He then got out of the helicopter to check the placement of the helicopter's skids on the beams, and it subsequently tipped backwards, with the tail rotor striking terrain. A postaccident inspection revealed that while landing, the pilot inadvertently placed the helicopter's skids behind the aft wooden beam, and the helicopter tipped backwards once the pilot exited the helicopter. The pilot said there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the helicopter. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom, tail rotor drive system, and tail rotor gearbox.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have verified skid placement before exiting the helicopter.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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