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May 17, 2003 · Aerospatiale AS355F2 · N42AT

Bainbridge, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 17, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Bainbridge, GA
Aircraft
Aerospatiale AS355F2
Tail Number
N42AT
Operator
American Trans Air Executive Jet
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL03LA095

The pilot stated he had just completed refueling and picked the helicopter up to a hover. He hovered over to another position on the ramp and turned the helicopter into the wind. He lowered the collective pitch and set the helicopter down hard on the ramp. The right rear skid contacted the ground and the aircraft began to shutter. After completing the engine shutdown he exited the helicopter and noticed that the tail boom support spar was cracked, the skin on both sides of the tailboom was wrinkled, and the star flex composite lead lag stabilizer was broken. Review of pilots records revealed the pilot had 7.5 total hours in the AS355 helicopter.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper flare during an attempted landing.

Full Narrative

On May 17, 2003, at 0955 eastern daylight time, an Aerospatiale AS355F2, N42AT, registered to Betaco Inc., operated by American Trans Air Executive Jet Inc., as a 14 CFR Part 91positioning flight, landed hard from a hover at the Decatur County Industrial Park, Bainbridge, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The helicopter received substantial damage. The commercial pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight originated from Decatur County Industrial Park, Bainbridge, Georgia, at 0955 on May 17, 2003. The pilot stated he had just completed refueling and picked the helicopter up to a hover. He hovered over to another position on the ramp and turned the helicopter into the wind. He lowered the collective pitch and set the helicopter down hard on the ramp. The right rear skid contacted the ground and the aircraft began to shutter. After completing the engine shutdown he exited the helicopter and noticed that the tail boom support spar was cracked, the skin on both sides of the tailboom was wrinkled and the star flex composite lead lag stabilizer was broken. Review of pilot training records obtained from Eurocopter revealed the pilot completed transition ground school and 3 hours of flight training in the AS355 on March 21, 2003. The pilot had logged 7.5 hours total flight time in the AS355 at the time of the accident, however the review of the pilot's flight logs also showed that he had accumulated 1,407 hours in helicopters.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:55 EDT
Nearest AirportDecatur County Industrial Park (0nm N)
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerospatiale AS355F2
Tail NumberN42AT
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAmerican Trans Air Executive Jet
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20F · Turboshaft · 317
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Observation Time14:03
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data