What happened
On the morning of 15 September 2022, a Eurocopter EC 155 B, registration EI-XHI, was performing a positioning flight from Loughrea to Shannon Airport. While maneuvering along Taxiway Delta 1 toward the Light Aircraft Parking area, the pilot attempted to flare the aircraft to transition from forward flight into a hover. During this maneuver, the pilot found that the collective pitch lever could only move a very limited distance from its previous position.
As a result of this control restriction, the helicopter lost altitude and struck the taxiway surface with significant vertical and horizontal force. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft, including a fractured nose landing gear torque link and a decompressed left main undercarriage strut. Following the impact, the helicopter continued to slide along the taxiway, passing near ground personnel and cargo trailers, before coming to a rest on the airport's east apron. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was uninjured.
The investigation
The AAIU investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the flight controls and the circumstances leading to the impact. Investigators examined the cockpit area and discovered that a portable power bank, which had been placed on the center console during pre-flight loading in the dark, had migrated during flight. The device had become lodged in the space between the pilot's seat and the console, physically obstructing the travel of the collective pitch lever.
Additionally, the investigation reviewed the aircraft's flight recorder data and identified a systematic error in GPS positioning information caused by an incorrect decoding database used during a previous modification. The investigation also noted that the pilot was operating at a ground speed of approximately 43 knots, which exceeded the standard air-taxi speed for the area.
Findings
- The primary cause of the loss of control was the restriction of the collective pitch lever movement caused by an unsecured portable power bank.
- The movement of the lever was blocked by the device after it shifted from the center console into the footwell/seat area.
- The pilot was carrying an unsecured item in the cockpit.
- The aircraft sustained substantial structural damage, including damage to the landing gear and fuselage attachment points.
Safety action
- The AAIU recommended that the Shannon Airport Authority consider enhancing infrastructure for helicopter operations to mitigate safety risks.
- A recommendation was made to the Irish Aviation Authority to review procedures and infrastructure for helicopter operations at licensed aerodromes in Ireland.
- EASA was advised to review the approval process for flight recorder modifications to ensure flight data is correctly converted into engineering units.