Helicopter Loss of Control During Training Flight in Ilhéus

Casualties unknown • ILHÉUS, BA, BR

An AS 350 B2 helicopter experienced a loss of control during a local training flight in Brazil, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft but no injuries to the three occupants.

What happened

On October 27, 2013, an AS 350 B2 helicopter, registration PT-HZQ, was conducting a local training flight near the Ilhéus Aerodrome in Bahia, Brazil. The flight, which included the pilot, a passenger, and an engineer, involved a series of low-altitude maneuvers, including hovering and approaches over a grassy area near runway 29. During the maneuvers, the aircraft entered a series of uncontrolled anti-clockwise turns. As the aircraft completed its fifth turn, it entered a descending trajectory with a rightward tilt, causing the main rotor blades to strike the pavement. The helicopter subsequently overturned on its right side. While the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the main rotor assembly, gearbox, horizontal stabilizer, and fuselage, the pilot and both passengers escaped without injury.

The investigation

CENIPA's investigation focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft and the operational circumstances of the flight. Investigators found that the hydraulic system was functioning correctly and that no mechanical anomalies were present to explain the loss of control. However, the investigation revealed that the hydraulic system's cut-off switch was found in the OFF position. The pilot admitted to a practice of not always performing hydraulic system tests before takeoff, feeling confident in operating the aircraft without the system. Furthermore, the investigation identified that the flight was an informal training session conducted without the operator's knowledge, involving a second pilot who lacked the required technical qualification for the AS 350 B2 type.

Findings

  • The pilot was unable to recover the aircraft from the uncontrolled turns through control inputs.
  • The hydraulic system was intentionally turned off, which likely contributed to the loss of control during low-speed maneuvers.
  • The flight was conducted using informal training practices that bypassed established safety protocols.
  • The crew composition included a pilot without the proper type rating for the aircraft.
  • Organizational failures within the operator's management allowed for high levels of pilot autonomy, leading to risky and unmonitored operational practices.
  • The lack of a formal Safety Management System (SMS) prevented the identification and mitigation of these operational risks.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the pilot's decision to operate the aircraft with the hydraulic system turned off during low-speed maneuvers, combined with a lack of adequate flight planning and the use of unauthorized, informal training procedures.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2013-10-27 aircraft accident near ILHÉUS, BA, BR?

An AS 350 B2 helicopter experienced a loss of control during a local training flight in Brazil, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft but no injuries to the three occupants.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2013-10-27 involved a aircraft, registration PTHZQ, at ILHÉUS, BA, BR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the pilot's decision to operate the aircraft with the hydraulic system turned off during low-speed maneuvers, combined with a lack of adequate flight planning and the use of unauthorized, informal training procedures.

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