29 Apr 2012: EUROCOPTER AS 350 B2 — EAGLE MED LLC

29 Apr 2012: EUROCOPTER AS 350 B2 — EAGLE MED LLC

No fatalities • Hugo, OK, United States

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate collective control inputs while performing a hovering autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the check airman's delayed remedial action.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

A check airman was giving the pilot in command a night vision goggle (NVG) annual check ride in the emergency medical service helicopter. After a satisfactory slope landing, the pilot in command repositioned the helicopter to a flat area and performed a hovering autorotation which resulted in a hard landing. The check airman then demonstrated a second hovering autorotation and the pilot in command performed a third hovering autorotation which was satisfactory. The check airman continued the annual check ride. After the flight, during a post flight inspection, substantial damage was discovered to the tail boom and the aft portion of the fuselage. The damage was consistent with a hard landing, presumably incurred during the first hovering autorotation in which the helicopter landed hard. In a statement provided to the NTSB, the check airman said that he should have guarded the collective more to limit the amount of control input during the practice autorotation maneuvers.

Contributing factors

  • cause Incorrect use/operation
  • cause Pilot
  • factor Instructor/check pilot

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 170/08kt, vis 10sm

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