Pilot Debrief

EUROCOPTER AS 350 B2 near Kahului, Maui, HI — 2014-09-14

Final reportWPR14CA375
Sign in to save
Date
2014-09-14
Location
Kahului, Maui, HI, USA
Airport
OGG
Aircraft
EUROCOPTER AS 350 B2
Registration
N197BH
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the cart while hovering. Contributing to the accident was the failure of ground personnel to remove the cart from the helipad.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, a cart that housed an auxiliary power unit was positioned near the helicopter and used to start its engine. After engine start, ground personnel did not remove the cart from the helipad. The pilot reported that shortly after lift off to a hover, to perform track and balance checks, the tail rotor struck the forward portion of the cart. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom and tail rotor. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

Related mishaps