Eurocopter AS 350 B2 N183EH

Summary

On 7 October 2011 at about 19:30 local time, a Eurocopter AS 350 B2 registered N183EH, operated by ERA Helicopters LLC, was involved in an accident near South Pass 93A, United States. 3 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

7 October 2011 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

South Pass 93A, United States

Nearest airport

South Pass 93A

Coordinates

28.6608, -89.4081

Aircraft

Eurocopter AS 350 B2

Registration

N183EH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

ERA Helicopters LLC

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

South Pass 93A → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12LA039

Nobody was injured.

Improper centering of the cyclic during a start in gusty wind conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During an engine start on a helipad, the helicopter's main rotor blade contacted the tailboom, which resulted in substantial damage to the tailboom. The reported wind about the time of the accident was about 23 knots. The pilot reported that when the wind was from the east, as it was at the time of the accident, wind contact with a generator room west of the helipad resulted in occasional updrafts on the helipad. An examination of the helicopter did not reveal any preexisting anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. In the helicopter's flight manual checklist for the "Checks Before Starting the Engine," the helicopter's cyclic is to be in the neutral position and the cyclic stick friction lock adjusted. Note 1 of the checklist states, "In strong wind, apply a little forward cyclic and accelerate the engine, up to approx. 320 rpm, as fast as in compatible with t4 limitations, then follow normal procedure." A review of accidents involving the same make and model helicopters, revealed that in all of the recorded tail boom strikes by main rotor blades during start, two conditions needed to be present: cyclic not centered and air turbulence pushing strongly on the main rotor blades.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.