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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 19, 2012 · Aerospatiale SA315B · N57948

Helena, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 19, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Helena, OK
Aircraft
Aerospatiale SA315B
Tail Number
N57948
Operator
Trans Aero
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN13CA027

The pilot was performing external load operations and landed the helicopter to reset a cone that had blown over by the wind. After landing, the pilot reduced the engine power to idle and exited the helicopter. While walking away from the helicopter, the pilot heard a bang and noticed the main rotor blades had contacted the tail boom area. The pilot ran back to the helicopter and pushed the cyclic, which was in the full aft position, forward. The pilot estimated the wind to be 18 knots, gusting to 24 knots, and reported that he did not properly set the cyclic friction lock before departing the helicopter. Examination of the helicopter showed the tail rotor driveshaft had separated from the helicopter. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. According to the flight manual, the rotor brake should be applied to stop the main rotor system prior to exiting the helicopter.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to properly secure the cyclic and to stop the main rotor system before exiting the helicopter, which resulted in the main rotor blades striking the tail rotor driveshaft.

Full Narrative

The pilot was performing external load operations and landed the helicopter to reset a cone that had blown over by the wind. After landing, the pilot reduced the engine power to idle and exited the helicopter. While walking away from the helicopter, the pilot heard a bang and noticed the main rotor blades had contacted the tail boom area. The pilot ran back to the helicopter and pushed the cyclic forward which was in the full aft position. The pilot estimated the winds to be 18 knots, gusting to 24 knots, and reported he did not properly set the cyclic friction lock prior to departing the helicopter. Examination of the helicopter showed the tail rotor driveshaft had separated from the helicopter. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. According to the flight manual, the rotor brake should be applied to stop the main rotor system prior to exiting the helicopter.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerospatiale SA315B
Tail NumberN57948
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTrans Aero
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · ARTOUSTEIIIB · Turboshaft · 858
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 63 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 12 kt, gusting 24 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.88 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data