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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 11, 2000 · Eurocopter AS350B2 · N851HW

Mesa, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 11, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Mesa, AZ
Aircraft
Eurocopter AS350B2
Tail Number
N851HW
Operator
Rocky Mountain Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX00LA195

The flight instructor was giving flight instruction to a new-hire pilot in preparation for his 14 CFR Part 135 check ride. Another new-hire pilot was seated in the back to observe the training. The pilot trainee was performing a hydraulics-off, run-on landing. As the student approached the touchdown point the instructor reminded him to keep his airspeed up. He reported that just prior to touchdown, the aircraft controls became very stiff. At that point, the flight instructor directed the pilot trainee to re-engage the hydraulics isolation switch on the collective control. The student re-engaged the hydraulics but reported that the controls remained stiff and he was having difficulty applying forward cyclic. As the instructor got on the controls it started a slow turn to the left. As the instructor attempted to counteract the turn rate increased. The helicopter impacted the ground in a left turn with rear lateral movement. The landing gear skids collapsed.

NTSB Probable Cause

the instructor pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter.

Full Narrative

On May 11, 2000, at 1334 hours mountain standard time, a Eurocopter AS350B2, N851HW, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona. The helicopter was being operated by Rocky Mountain Helicopters, Provo, Utah, as an instructional flight under 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial rated certified flight instructor, commercial rated pilot trainee, and commercial rated passenger were not injured. The local area flight originated at Falcon Field at an unspecified time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight instructor reported that he was giving flight instruction to a new-hire pilot in preparation for his 14 CFR Part 135 check ride. Another new-hire pilot was seated in the back to observe the training. The pilot trainee was performing a hydraulics-off, run-on landing. As the student approached the touchdown point the instructor reminded him to keep his airspeed up. He reported that just prior to touchdown, the aircraft controls became very stiff. At that point, the flight instructor directed the pilot trainee to re-engage the hydraulics isolation switch on the collective control. The student re-engaged the hydraulics but reported that the controls remained stiff and he was having difficulty applying forward cyclic. As the instructor got on the controls it started a slow turn to the left. As the instructor attempted to counteract the turn rate increased. The helicopter impacted the ground in a left turn with rear lateral movement. The landing gear skids collapsed. The operator, Rocky Mountain Helicopters, failed to respond to several attempts by the Safety Board to file an aircraft accident report, form 6120.1/2.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:34 MST
Nearest AirportFALCON (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEurocopter AS350B2
Tail NumberN851HW
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRocky Mountain Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · ARRIEL 1B1 · Turboshaft · 529
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 12 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data