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September 1, 2012 · Aerospatiale AS350 B2 · N178CH

Talkeetna, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 1, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Talkeetna, AK
Aircraft
Aerospatiale AS350 B2
Tail Number
N178CH
Operator
Last Frontier Air Venture
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC12CA100

The pilot landed a high-skid, turbine-powered helicopter at a remote construction site, which contained several bags of cement that were covered by a plastic tarp. The plastic tarp was secured by a nylon strap that was wrapped around the bags. The pilot reported that after landing near the bags of cement, he retarded the engine throttle to flight idle to begin the mandatory 2-minute engine cool down procedure. During the engine cool down, the pilot felt an abrupt airframe vibration, so he immediately closed the engine throttle and performed an emergency engine shutdown. A postflight inspection revealed that the plastic tarp had dislodged from the nylon strap, and it subsequently became entangled in the tail rotor hub and blade assembly. As a result, the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor drive system and tailboom. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Debris/dirt/foreign object-Effect on equipment - C

Full Narrative

The pilot landed a high skid, turbine-powered helicopter at a remote construction site, which contained several bags of cement that were covered by a plastic tarp. The plastic tarp was secured by a nylon strap that was wrapped around the bags. The pilot reported that after landing near the bags of cement, he retarded the engine throttle to flight idle to begin the mandatory 2-minute engine cool down procedure. During the engine cool down the pilot felt an abrupt airframe vibration, so he immediately closed the engine throttle, and did an emergency engine shutdown. A postflight inspection revealed that the plastic tarp had dislodged from the nylon strap, and it subsequently became entangled in the tail rotor hub and blade assembly. As a result, the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor drive system and tail boom. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the helicopter.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:10 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerospatiale AS350 B2
Tail NumberN178CH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLast Frontier Air Venture
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · Arriel · Turboshaft · 731
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingOvercast 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data