Eurocopter AS-350 BA N606TV

Summary

On 17 July 2006 at about 16:00 local time, a Eurocopter AS-350 BA registered N606TV was involved in an incident near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 July 2006 at 16:00

Classification

Incident

Location

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

40.0817, -75.0106

Aircraft

Eurocopter AS-350 BA

Registration

N606TV

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Philadelphia → Philadelphia

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

NTSB number

NYC06IA176

Nobody was injured.

A loss of hydraulic boost for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While en route to the destination airport, the helicopter's hydraulic system caution light momentarily illuminated and the associated aural warning sounded. The pilot elected to continue to the intended destination, and nearing the runway, the helicopter lost hydraulic boost. The pilot subsequently performed a run-on landing to a runway. Following the incident, a company mechanic removed the hydraulic pump and pulley, and found that the hydraulic pump drive shaft splines and the coupling sleeve exhibited "excessive wear." A new hydraulic pump was installed, the helicopter was test flown, and was then returned to service. About 3 weeks later, while flying the same helicopter, the pilot experienced a similar series of events, resulting in another run-on landing and no damage to the helicopter. Following that incident, the hydraulic system test switch was identified as faulty, and was subsequently replaced. After a check by a mechanic and another company pilot, the helicopter was test flown with no discrepancies noted and returned to service. Examination of the hydraulic pump drive shaft and coupling sleeve revealed that while the mating splines of both components were severely worn, there was enough spline material remaining to enable the coupling sleeve to drive the hydraulic pump. Examination and functional testing of the hydraulic switch removed from the helicopter revealed no anomalies.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.