What happened
On 12 November 2004, an Enstrom 480, registration N480DS, was completing a short five-minute private flight from a nearby site. As the pilot approached The Heliport in Droitwich from the northeast, he observed that the wind conditions had changed significantly since his departure. While the initial wind assessment was approximately 220°/10 to 15 kt, the windsock at the landing site indicated highly variable winds, which the pilot estimated to be between 270° and 300° at 15 to 18 kt.
During the final stages of the approach, the aircraft encountered what appeared to be wind shear. This sudden change in wind caused the helicopter to drift forward toward a nearby hedge. Although the pilot immediately applied collective control to compensate, the tail section of the Enstrom 480 struck the hedge. Following the impact, the helicopter began rotating clockwise, briefly touched down on its skids, and eventually toppled onto its right side. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries, though the aircraft suffered major damage.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the circumstances of the flight and analyzed meteorological data provided by the Meteorological Office. The investigation focused on the wind conditions at the time of the accident and the pilot's response to the sudden change in wind direction and velocity.
Findings
- The investigation established that the surface wind at the time of the accident was 340°/15 kt, with gusts reaching 25 kt.
- This wind configuration would have created a tailwind component during the pilot's approach, which likely complicated the precision required for the landing.
- The encounter with wind shear was the primary factor leading to the forward movement of the aircraft into the hedge.