Executive Summary
On 30 December 2020, a Eurocopter H125 (AS350 B3) helicopter, registered JU6889, operated by Mongolian Airways LLC, experienced a serious incident involving a loss of tail rotor control during a charter flight from Teshig sum, Bulgan aimag, to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The pilot executed a forced landing in a field near Bayantsogt, approximately 83 km from Ulaanbaatar. No injuries were reported, and the helicopter sustained damage to the tail rotor drive shaft.
History of the Flight
The helicopter was planned for a charter flight with callsign MGW1131 from Ulaanbaatar to Teshig sum and return as MGW1132. The outbound leg departed Ulaanbaatar at 09:09 local time and landed at Teshig at 10:45. After receiving weather information from the Bulgan flight information officer, the helicopter departed Teshig at 13:25 for the return flight. At 14:10, the pilot reported passing Erdenet and indicated that the helicopter would fly at a lower altitude than 3,300 ft, with an estimated arrival time in Ulaanbaatar of 15:10. At 14:48, the pilot contacted Ulaanbaatar Aerodrome ATC via iridium phone, stating that tail rotor control had been lost and that a forced landing was necessary. The helicopter was then approximately 83 km from Ulaanbaatar. The pilot selected a landing area near Bayantsogt, performing six turns before landing at 15:15 on a flat, obstacle-free, low-snow field, sliding 84 meters to a stop.
Injuries
There was one crew member on board and no passengers. No injuries were sustained.
Damage to Aircraft
Post-landing inspection revealed damage to the tail rotor drive shaft. Specifically, the rear part of the tail rotor drive shaft fairing had separated and was torn. Oil was sprayed on the tail surface. The tail rotor blade tips showed slight impact marks, and the interior side of the tail section's heat shield (inox) showed signs of impact.
Pilot Information
The pilot, a 56-year-old male, held an Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) and had accumulated 7,482 flight hours.
Aircraft Information
The helicopter was a Eurocopter H125 (AS350 B3), serial number 8442, manufactured on 15 November 2017. It was powered by a single ARRIEL 2D engine. The registration was JU6889.