On July 7, 2002, an Aerospatiale AS350 BA (registration N141MK) was involved in an aviation accident near Honolulu, HI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain adequate tail rotor clearance from the sloping terrain in unfavorable wind conditions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter's tail rotor contacted terrain during a downwind landing on downsloping terrain, resulting in a destroyed gear box and bent tail boom. Passengers reported a hard landing after clearing a fence.
Accident Details
According to witness accounts from passengers, the helicopter passed over a 6-foot fence before settling hard onto dirt during the approach to landing. The touchdown occurred on downsloping terrain, and the tail rotor subsequently collided with the upslope.
Pilot Statement
The pilot informed an FAA inspector that he intentionally chose to land downhill, believing that would provide the best angle for executing a landing within the confined operational zone. The pilot noted that the downwind conditions caused the tail of the helicopter to sit lower than normal.
Damage
During the touchdown, the tail boom made contact with the terrain, resulting in a 30-degree bend. The gear box was destroyed as a consequence of the impact.