Pilot Debrief

EUROCOPTER AS 350 B3 near Poway, CA — 2012-02-25

Final reportWPR12CA118
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Date
2012-02-25
Location
Poway, CA, USA
Aircraft
EUROCOPTER AS 350 B3
Registration
N118MB
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during landing, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he was approaching a landing zone on a flat pinnacle with a tailwind. The helicopter was within 50 feet of the landing area in a slow, stable, shallow approach when it encountered an updraft. When the helicopter flew out of the updraft, it abruptly descended to the ground. The helicopter landed hard, and the impact buckled the tail boom and sheared off the left landing gear skid.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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