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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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January 31, 1986 · Aerospatiale 350-B · N513HC

Las Piedras, PR

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 31, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Las Piedras, PR
Aircraft
Aerospatiale 350-B
Tail Number
N513HC
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA86LA068

PILOT STATED THAT WHILE FLARING TO ENTER A HOVER TO REVERSE DIRECTION FOR TAKEOFF THE TAIL ROTOR GUARD STRUCK THE GROUND AND SEPARATED. THE HELICOPTER WAS NOSED OVER FORWARD AND AS IT WAS FLARED A SECOND TIME THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. THE MAIN ROTOR THEN CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST UPRIGHT.

Full Narrative

PILOT STATED THAT WHILE FLARING TO ENTER A HOVER TO REVERSE DIRECTION FOR TAKEOFF THE TAIL ROTOR GUARD STRUCK THE GROUND AND SEPARATED. THE HELICOPTER WAS NOSED OVER FORWARD AND AS IT WAS FLARED A SECOND TIME THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. THE MAIN ROTOR THEN CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST UPRIGHT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:23 AST
Nearest AirportBOQUERON (0nm N)
Runway30
Runway Length1300 ft
Runway Width120 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerospatiale 350-B
Tail NumberN513HC
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · ARRIEL 1 · Turboshaft · 478
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility13 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time09:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data