Airbus AS350 N4035W

Summary

On 17 June 2016 at about 23:45 local time, a Airbus AS350 registered N4035W, operated by US Department of Homeland Security, was involved in an accident near McAllen, Texas, 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

17 June 2016 at 23:45

Classification

Accident

Location

McAllen, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Mc Allen Miller Intl (MFE)

Coordinates

26.1769, -98.2411

Aircraft

Airbus AS350

Registration

N4035W

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1996

Engines

1

Operator

US Department of Homeland Security

Operating rule

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

McAllen → McAllen

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA16CA328

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadvertent input of the right tail rotor pedal, which resulted in a loss of directional control and an impact with service equipment.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that during the engine run-up sequence while on a movable helicopter pad attached to a tug, he noticed that the right rear door was not secure. The pilot unhooked his shoulder harness to reach back to secure the door. While attempting to reach the door, the pilot reported that he inadvertently applied right tail rotor pedal, which caused the helicopter to spin to the right multiple times. During the rotation the helicopter departed the movable pad, impacted the tug, and came to rest in an upright position on the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.