History of the Flight
A Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopter, registration N57NC, departed Weston Airport (EIWT) at 13:58 hrs on 30 July 2024 for a training flight. The flight was intended to prepare the student for a type rating skills test on the Bell 505. The helicopter proceeded generally westwards, performing five manoeuvres consistent with practice autorotations. At approximately 14:25 hrs, while operating near Killucan, Co. Westmeath, and during what appeared to be a sixth practice autorotation, the helicopter impacted the surface of an agricultural field. It then travelled forward, clearing a boundary fence, and struck the gable wall of an agricultural building. The helicopter came to rest in a nose-down orientation against the wall and roof of the building. Both occupants were fatally injured. There was no fire.
Injuries to Persons
Emergency services recovered the two crew members from the wreckage, where they appeared to have been restrained by their seat belts. They were transported to hospital for post-mortem examinations, the results of which are awaited.
Flight Experience
The student had completed just over 100 flight hours on a Robinson 44 as part of a Private Pilot Licence (Helicopter) course, finishing on 17 June 2024. He passed a skills test on 25 June 2024 and received his PPL(H) on 25 July 2024. Prior to the accident flight, the student had completed three flights on the accident helicopter totaling 2 hours and 53 minutes.
The instructor held a Part-FCL Flight Crew Licence issued by the Czech Republic, with ratings including Bell 505, Bell 206, Bell 407, R44, R22, R66, and FI(H). He had 5,253 hours total flying experience, with 325 hours 56 minutes on the Bell 505 type. His last medical examination was on 20 April 2024, and his Class 1 medical certificate was valid until 3 November 2024.
Helicopter Information
The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X is a single-engine rotorcraft with a maximum internal gross weight of 1,669 kg. It is capable of carrying up to five occupants and may be flown from either crew seat with dual controls installed. The accident helicopter was fitted with dual controls. It has a two-bladed main rotor rotating counter-clockwise and a two-bladed tail rotor. Main rotor flight controls are hydraulically assisted. The avionics system is a Garmin G1000H with dual display units for flight, navigation, propulsion, instrumentation, caution and warning systems, communication, GPS, and a Mode S transponder.
The helicopter, manufactured in 2020, was originally registered in Malta as 9H-NIN and re-registered in the United States as N57NC on 20 July 2023. It was added to the ATO's fleet on 27 July 2024.