Eurocopter EC120B N3925A

Summary

On 4 October 2011 at about 17:52 local time, a Eurocopter EC120B registered N3925A, operated by Department of Homeland Security, was involved in an accident near McAllen, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

4 October 2011 at 17:52

Classification

Accident

Location

McAllen, Texas, United States

Coordinates

26.1722, -98.2364

Aircraft

Eurocopter EC120B

Registration

N3925A

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Department of Homeland Security

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

McAllen → McAllen

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12TA004

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's improper use of the collective while landing, which resulted in an unrecoverable forward pitching moment. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision not to go-around.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and the supplemental crewmember were dispatched to provide aerial support for an on-going border patrol mission. The mission was delayed, so the pilot decided to make a no-hover landing to an unfamiliar grass field and sit idle (to conserve fuel) until needed. On approach, the pilot had too much forward speed for the no-hover landing and transitioned to a slow, running landing. Upon touchdown, the pilot said he used full aft cyclic to control the maneuver but did not remember what he did with the collective. The helicopter slid about 34 feet then pitched forward causing the helicopter's lower wire strike protection system and the main rotor blades to strike the ground. According to the operator's aircraft standardization manual, during a running landing, the pilot has to hold the collective stationary after ground contact to avoid any rapid pitch reductions. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems prior to the accident. He said the accident could have been avoided if he had conducted an approach to hover followed by a vertical landing or executed a go-around and re-attempted a no-hover landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.