What happened
On 04 September 2012, an Agusta-Bell 206-3B helicopter, registration A6-FTB, was conducting a training flight originating from Al Ain International Airport. The flight, which involved an instructor and a student pilot, was operating within Training Area 6 to perform engine failure simulations and 360-degree autorotation exercises.
After successfully completing the first planned autorotation, the crew attempted a second maneuver. During this second exercise, the aircraft entered an unstable condition while in close proximity to the ground. Although the instructor attempted to take control to recover the aircraft and arrest the descent rate, the helicopter struck the ground with a high rate of descent and minimal forward speed. The impact caused the rotor blades to strike the aft tail boom, leading to the separation of the transmission, rotor assembly, and several primary structural components.
The investigation
Investigators from the GCAA AAIS examined the wreckage located approximately 18.25nm northwest of Al Ain. The investigation focused on the sequence of the flight, the mechanical state of the aircraft, and the environmental conditions. The wreckage was concentrated in a 70x70 meter area, showing significant deformation of the primary structure and the failure of the left-hand landing skid stay, which subsequently punctured the fuel bladder.
Technical analysis confirmed the aircraft was airworthy at the time of the accident. The investigation also reviewed radio communications between the crew and Al Ain Radar, noting that the flight was operating under height restrictions due to nearby IFR traffic prior to the incident.