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May 23, 2023 · Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 NO Series · N451PH

Abbeville, LA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 23, 2023
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Abbeville, LA
Aircraft
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 NO Series (2012)
Tail Number
N451PH
Operator
Phi Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN23LA199

The check pilot and the pilot receiving instruction were performing initial new hire training for the commercial operator. The pilot previously performed three practice 180° autorotations, terminating with a power recovery. The pilot then performed a practice, straight-in, full down autorotation to touchdown on the sod area parallel to the runway. During the touchdown, the two pilots heard a “loud bang.” The helicopter came to rest upright on the sod area and both pilots were able to egress from the helicopter without further incident. A postflight inspection revealed that the main rotor blades struck the tail boom, severing the tail rotor driveshaft. The main rotor blades, the tail boom, and the tail rotor system sustained substantial damage. The operator reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. According to another helicopter manufacturer, main rotor blowback occurs when the forward portion of the helicopter’s main rotor disk is displaced upward, while the rear portion of the main rotor disk is displaced downward. If the resulting blowback is excessive, the main rotor blades may impact the tail boom. A review of the accident helicopter rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) found no information listed to provide awareness to pilots about the main rotor blowback condition.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain proper helicopter control during autorotation that resulted in an abnormal ground contact which caused the subsequent main rotor strike on the tail boom that severed the tail rotor driveshaft. Contributing to the accident was the main rotor blowback condition, due to the aft tilting of the main rotor disk.

Full Narrative

The check pilot and the pilot receiving instruction were performing initial new hire training for the commercial operator. The pilot previously performed three practice 180° autorotations, terminating with a power recovery. The pilot then performed a practice, straight-in, full down autorotation to touchdown on the sod area parallel to the runway. During the touchdown, the two pilots heard a “loud bang.” The helicopter came to rest upright on the sod area and both pilots were able to egress from the helicopter without further incident. A postflight inspection revealed that the main rotor blades struck the tail boom, severing the tail rotor driveshaft. The main rotor blades, the tail boom, and the tail rotor system sustained substantial damage. The operator reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. According to another helicopter manufacturer, main rotor blowback occurs when the forward portion of the helicopter’s main rotor disk is displaced upward, while the rear portion of the main rotor disk is displaced downward. If the resulting blowback is excessive, the main rotor blades may impact the tail boom. A review of the accident helicopter rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) found no information listed to provide awareness to pilots about the main rotor blowback condition.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 CDT
Nearest AirportAbbeville Chris Crusta Meml (0nm SW)
Runway34
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 NO Series
Tail NumberN451PH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPhi Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · 250-C47B · Turboshaft · 675
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 31 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 41 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 F
Altimeter29.96 inHg
Observation Time10:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data