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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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April 29, 2012 · Eurocopter AS 350 B2 · N406EM

Hugo, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 29, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Hugo, OK
Aircraft
Eurocopter AS 350 B2
Tail Number
N406EM
Operator
Eagle Med
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12CA269

A check airman was giving the pilot-in-command (PIC) an annual check ride with night vision goggles in the emergency medical service helicopter. After a satisfactory slope landing, the PIC repositioned the helicopter to a flat area and performed a hovering autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. The check airman then demonstrated a second hovering autorotation, and the PIC performed another hovering autorotation that was satisfactory. The check airman continued the annual check ride. After the flight, during a post-flight examination, substantial damage was discovered to the tail boom and the aft portion of the fuselage. The damage was consistent with a hard landing, presumably incurred during the first hovering autorotation in which the helicopter landed hard. In a statement provided to the NTSB, the check airman said that he should have guarded the collective more to limit the amount of control input during the practice autorotation maneuvers.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s inadequate collective control inputs while performing a hovering autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the check airman's delayed remedial action.

Full Narrative

A check airman was giving the pilot in command a night vision goggle (NVG) annual check ride in the emergency medical service helicopter. After a satisfactory slope landing, the pilot in command repositioned the helicopter to a flat area and performed a hovering autorotation which resulted in a hard landing. The check airman then demonstrated a second hovering autorotation and the pilot in command performed a third hovering autorotation which was satisfactory. The check airman continued the annual check ride. After the flight, during a post flight inspection, substantial damage was discovered to the tail boom and the aft portion of the fuselage. The damage was consistent with a hard landing, presumably incurred during the first hovering autorotation in which the helicopter landed hard. In a statement provided to the NTSB, the check airman said that he should have guarded the collective more to limit the amount of control input during the practice autorotation maneuvers.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:40 CDT
Nearest AirportStan Stamper Municipal Airport (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEurocopter AS 350 B2
Tail NumberN406EM
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEagle Med
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsHoneywell · LTS 101 · Turboshaft · 732
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 63 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind170° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.93 inHg
Observation Time05:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data