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January 26, 2006 · Eurocopter France AS-350-B2 · N911ES

Port Isabel, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 26, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Port Isabel, TX
Aircraft
Eurocopter France AS-350-B2
Tail Number
N911ES
Operator
Frederick a Rappleyea Jr
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DFW06CA062

The 5,591-hour helicopter flight instructor reported that he was on the second day of training of a newly hired 10,000-hour commercial helicopter rated pilot. After the pilot's first landing on Runway 03 (4,999-feet long by 150-feet wide asphalt-concrete runway), the flight instructor asked the pilot to perform an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) takeoff (as described in the company's operations manual), and then enter the local traffic pattern. The flight instructor stated that the EMS takeoff procedure began by the pilot bringing the helicopter to a three to five foot hover in order to conduct a power check prior to the application of takeoff power. While the helicopter was at a hover, the flight instructor initiated a hovering autorotation; the pilot immediately applied forward cyclic, and then pulled up on the collective. The flight instructor considered the pilot's flight control inputs to be excessive, resulting in a high sink rate and an undesirable helicopter attitude for touchdown. The instructor immediately took control of the helicopter and brought it back to a level attitude in an attempt to cushion the landing. The flight instructor stated that the main rotor RPM was low and most of the collective had been used to prevent a nose low impact. The helicopter then descended approximately one to two feet, impacting terrain in a level attitude and then bounced forward approximately four feet.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM and his improper touchdown during a simulated hovering autorotation. A contributing factor was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.

Full Narrative

The 5,591-hour helicopter flight instructor reported he was on the second day of training of a newly hired 10,000-hour commercial helicopter rated pilot. After the pilot's first landing on Runway 03 (4,999-feet long by 150-feet wide asphalt-concrete runway), the flight instructor asked the pilot to perform an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) takeoff (as described in the company's operations manual), and then enter the local traffic pattern. The flight instructor stated that the EMS takeoff procedure began by the pilot bringing the helicopter to a three to five foot hover in order to conduct a power check prior to the application of takeoff power. While the helicopter was at a hover, the flight instructor initiated a hovering autorotation; the pilot immediately applied forward cyclic, and then pulled up on the collective. The flight instructor considered the pilot's flight control inputs to be excessive, resulting in a high sink rate and an undesirable helicopter attitude for touchdown. The instructor immediately took control of the helicopter and brought it back to a level attitude in an attempt to cushion the landing. The flight instructor stated that the main rotor RPM was low and most of the collective had been used to prevent a nose low impact. The helicopter then descended approximately one to two feet, impacting terrain in a level attitude and then bounced forward approximately four feet.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:25 CST
Nearest AirportPort Isabel - Cameron County (0nm)
Runway03
Runway Length4999 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEurocopter France AS-350-B2
Tail NumberN911ES
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFrederick a Rappleyea Jr
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · Arriel 1D1 · Turboshaft · 712
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 46 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 55
Altimeter30.36 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data