What happened
On 21 December 2024, an AgustaWestland A109E, registration A6-ONE, operated by Falcon Aviation Services, was conducting a private flight from Al Bateen Executive Airport toward Fujairah. During the mission, the pilot performed an intermediate landing at a private helipad in the Al Badayer area of Sharjah to collect passengers.
While the pilot reported a normal approach into a headwind, the aircraft encountered extreme instability immediately upon contact with the ground. The helicopter was subjected to intense rocking oscillations lasting approximately six seconds, which rendered the flight controls ineffective. The force of the vibration was so great that the main rotor and components of the gearbox separated from the aircraft, coming to rest 29 meters away from the fuselage. Additionally, one rotor blade detached from the hub. The aircraft sustained significant structural damage, and the right main landing gear became embedded in the ground, causing the helicopter to tilt.
The investigation
The UAE Air Accident Investigation Sector (AAIS) initiated an inquiry following a notification from the operator's safety manager. The investigation team is currently examining the technical history and maintenance records of the aircraft, as well as the performance of the Pratt & Whitney PW206C engines.
Investigators are also scrutinizing the landing site, noting that the helipad was an uncertified facility constructed of bricks without a proper foundation. The investigation is ongoing and will evaluate the operator's management policies, human factors, and the potential role of the uncertified landing site in the occurrence.