No fatalities
EUROCOPTER AS355 N accident at Palm Beach, FL, 19 May 2022
On May 19, 2022, an EUROCOPTER AS355 N was involved in an aviation accident near Palm Beach, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in the unlatched engine cowling opening and being struck by a main rotor blade during flight. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in the unlatched engine cowling opening and being struck by a main rotor blade during flight. Contributing to the accident was the mechanic’s failure to properly secure the cowling following maintenance.
— NTSB Determination
Contributing factors
PilotInadequate inspectionMaintenance personnel