Pilot Debrief

AEROSPATIALE AS 355F1 near Pikes Peak, CO — 2010-09-17

Final reportCEN10CA545
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Date
2010-09-17
Location
Pikes Peak, CO, USA
Aircraft
AEROSPATIALE AS 355F1
Registration
N5802W
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The helicopter's encounter with an unexpected downdraft, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was operating his dual turbine-engine helicopter near a mountain in an effort to film an automobile driving on a road below. The pilot stated that he had operated around this particular mountain several times a year over the past 24 years and had established a flight profile which minimized the associated risks. One sharp turn in the road near the peak required the pilot to fly outbound from the mountain and make a gentle 180-degree turn back to film the automobile. When the pilot flew outbound from the mountain the flying conditions were normal. However, after turning 180 degrees and on the inbound leg towards the mountain, the helicopter encountered a downdraft and was pushed toward the rising terrain. Helicopter performance at that altitude did not provide the pilot with a power margin great enough to arrest the descent. The pilot elected to perform a landing to the road rather than risk a turn down the rocky mountain slope. The helicopter subsequently touched down hard and rolled over, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided the turn towards the mountain to prevent downdraft encounter.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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