What happened
On April 18, 2011, at approximately 16:42 local time, an Agusta 109S helicopter, registration A6-FLS, was performing ground maneuvers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. While the pilot was taxiing the aircraft to a specific position for passenger boarding, the main rotor blades made contact with the wall of an adjacent building. The pilot successfully managed the aircraft following the impact, avoiding a secondary collision and landing the helicopter safely.
The investigation
An investigation by the GCAA AAIS examined the circumstances surrounding the contact between the rotor blades and the structure. The inquiry looked into the aircraft's mechanical condition, the pilot's actions, and the operational environment. Investigators found that the aircraft was airworthy and that there were no mechanical failures or system malfunctions that contributed to the event. The investigation also uncovered that the operator's management did not report the occurrence to the GCAA until 27 days after the incident occurred. Furthermore, the inquiry revealed that the pilot had provided false information regarding the cause of the rotor blade damage, claiming the blades were damaged during transport when they were actually damaged during the building contact.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the distraction of the pilot, who was focused on avoiding a foreign object that had suddenly appeared in his field of vision.
- The main rotor blades sustained damage due to the impact with the building wall.
- The helicopter was taxiing in an area that lacked clearly defined safety zones or appropriate maneuvering area planning for passenger embarkation.
- There was a lack of immediate reporting by employees who were aware of the incident.