Accident Overview
On May 12, 2021, at about 1530 central daylight time, an Aerospatiale (Airbus) AS350 B2 helicopter, registration N841BP, was destroyed in an accident near Yukon, Oklahoma. The helicopter was operated as a 14 CFR Part 91 public aircraft instructional flight. The pilot receiving instruction and the flight instructor were not injured.
Flight Maneuvers
The flight originated from Will Rogers International Airport (KOKC) and proceeded to Clarence Page Municipal Airport (KRCE) to conduct training maneuvers. After arrival, the flight crew performed several approaches, including confined area and pinnacle approaches, followed by simulated emergencies. Each simulated emergency required the helicopter’s hydraulic system to be turned off and then back on using a hydraulic cut-off switch, an unguarded push-button switch on the end of the pilot’s collective stick.
After the simulated emergencies, the crew conducted a series of “quick stops.” Following the third quick stop, the pilot heard a radio call indicating an airplane on final approach to the runway they were using. The flight instructor indicated they would clear the runway. The pilot completed a final quick stop and immediately entered a climbing left turn.
Loss of Control
During the turn, the pilot noticed the helicopter yawing left, and pedal inputs were unable to correct the yaw. When the pilot adjusted his grip on the collective, he felt the hydraulic cut-off button with his thumb as he prepared to reduce collective. As he tightened his grip, “the hydraulics came offline aggravating the left yaw into a hard left spin.” The controls became stiff. The flight instructor told the pilot to turn the hydraulics back on. The pilot intentionally pressed the button but felt no effect. He pressed it a second time, but the hydraulic light on the caution warning panel remained illuminated, so he pressed it a third time.
The flight instructor reported that on the last quick stop, the helicopter slowed normally but then started a left yaw about 25 ft above ground level. After yawing about 30° left of centerline, he pushed forward on the cyclic to gain airspeed. The flight instructor stated that “as the aircraft was recovering, the control loads instantly became excessive,” and he noticed the hydraulic light illuminated. He told the pilot to turn on the hydraulics, but hydraulic pressure was never restored. The flight instructor told the pilot he was taking control, but the pilot did not relinquish. The flight instructor attempted to regain control but was unable to overcome the high control loads.
Post-Crash
The helicopter continued to spin, impacted the ground in a nose-down attitude, rolled over, and came to rest on its right side. Both occupants exited the helicopter before a post-impact fire consumed most of the helicopter. Examination of the helicopter was limited by the fire; however, no preimpact abnormalities were identified with the airframe and engine.
The US Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations Division reported that the agency’s selection process for the Air Interdiction Agent Program failed to properly identify that the pilot was not qualified for the program.