Accident Overview
On May 1, 2024, at approximately 1610 eastern daylight time, an Airbus Helicopters AS-350, registration N413JM, sustained substantial damage in an accident near Plant City, Florida. The helicopter was operated by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. The commercial pilot and private pilot-rated copilot were not injured.
Flight Details
The helicopter departed Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL), Lakeland, Florida, around 1545, destined for the HCSO base at Tampa Executive Airport (VDF), Tampa, Florida. The pilot elected to fly from the left seat to maintain proficiency. En route, he selected a field to practice confined area approaches, approaches to landings, and slope landings. After completing an initial approach to a 15-foot hover, the pilot maneuvered the helicopter inside the landing zone at about 20 knots and 50 feet above ground level. The helicopter then entered an uncommanded left turn that the pilot could not correct. The turn progressed into a left spin, with the helicopter rotating two to three times before impacting the ground. It came to rest upright with the engine running, the main rotor system intact, and no evidence of fire. The pilot performed an engine shutdown, and the crew egressed normally.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and rotorcraft-helicopter. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued February 22, 2024. He reported 2,322 total flight hours, including 1,852 hours in helicopters and 800 hours in the accident helicopter make and model. The copilot held a private pilot certificate with a rotorcraft-helicopter rating. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued November 17, 2023. He reported 132 total flight hours, all in the accident helicopter make and model.
Maintenance and Damage Findings
According to FAA and maintenance records, the helicopter was manufactured in 2019 and powered by a Safran Arriel 2D 860-horsepower engine. Its most recent 100-hour inspection was completed on April 4, 2024, at 1,970.2 total aircraft hours. The HCSO unit supervisor reported that the helicopter had recently been returned to service after multiple inspections and several safety-of-flight component removals and replacements. All five tail rotor driveshaft hanger bearings were replaced during these inspections, and the helicopter had accrued 12.3 flight hours since the work was completed.
Examination of photographs revealed multiple bends and wrinkles in the tailboom, damage to the tail stinger and tail rotor guard. The tail rotor gearbox was separated, while the tail rotor driveshaft, hub, and blade assembly remained attached. One of the two tail rotor blades was separated consistent with impact. Removal of the tail rotor driveshaft cover showed that the most aft-mounted hanger bearing (No. 1 of 5) was severely damaged and free of its mount and bearing race, while the tail rotor driveshaft remained intact and connected. The left side bearing mount attach bolt was missing from its mount but found atop the tailboom next to the mount. The right-side bolt was installed, but the attachment nut was not fully seated.