Eurocopter AS 350 B3 N105LN

Summary

On 22 October 2009 at about 16:15 local time, a Eurocopter AS 350 B3 registered N105LN, operated by Air Methods, was involved in an accident near Marana, Arizona, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 October 2009 at 16:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Marana, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Marana Regional Airport (AVQ)

Coordinates

32.5097, -111.3253

Aircraft

Eurocopter AS 350 B3

Registration

N105LN

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Air Methods

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Marana → Marana

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR10CA028

Nobody was injured.

The improper use of the throttle by the pilot receiving instruction, and the check pilot's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action, which resulted in the collision with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During a practice hovering autorotation the helicopter impacted terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the tailboom. The left seat check pilot who was giving instruction to the right seat pilot reported that a clear, flat area had been identified for hovering autorotation practice. After being briefed by the check pilot, the right seat pilot brought the helicopter up to a 3- to 5-foot hover. The check pilot stated, "I reminded the pilot that he would retard the throttle. [The] aircraft drifted up to less than 10 feet, [and] before I could correct the altitude deviation the [right seat] pilot aggressively retarded the throttle. The aircraft was allowed to settle to approximately 4 feet before the collective pull was initiated, but I was unable to sufficiently arrest the descent." An examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector revealed that the tailboom had been wrinkled as a result of the impact with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.