Eurocopter AS 350 BA N72LC

Summary

On 18 November 2006 at about 14:10 local time, a Eurocopter AS 350 BA registered N72LC, operated by Lee County Sheriff's Office, was involved in an accident near Ft. Myers, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 November 2006 at 14:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Ft. Myers, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Buckingham Airfield (FL59)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Eurocopter AS 350 BA

Registration

N72LC

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Lee County Sheriff's Office

Operating rule

Public Use

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ft. Myers → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA07TA017

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during engine start. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper advancement of the fuel control lever.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the advancement of the fuel control lever, the engine revved and increased power to the point the pilot could not control the bouncing of the helicopter on the pad. The examination of the helicopter's airframe did not reveal any discrepancies that would have prevented normal operation of its flight and engine controls. A test cell run of the engine did not reveal any discrepancies with the operation at various power settings. The manufacturer states that if the fuel control lever is moved beyond the "Flight" detent the emergency valve progressively opens to supply the engine. The pilot's incorrect operation of the fuel lever could have contributed to over revving of the engine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.