MD Helicopters 369 N438RC

Summary

On 28 July 2019 at about 05:15 local time, a MD Helicopters 369 registered N438RC, operated by Lane County Sheriffs Office, was involved in an accident near Eugene, Oregon, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 July 2019 at 05:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Eugene, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Mahlon Sweet Field Airport (EUG)

Coordinates

44.1214, -123.2072

Aircraft

MD Helicopters 369

Registration

N438RC

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1987

Operator

Lane County Sheriffs Office

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Eugene → Eugene

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

WPR19LA205

2 people were seriously injured.

The left seat pilot’s failure to account for environmental conditions conducive to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and subsequent loss of control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilots reported that they were approaching the airport ramp area for landing from the east with a wind of 10 knots from the north. About 25 to 30 feet above the ramp at an airspeed of about 25 knots, the left seat pilot reduced left pedal pressure to turn the helicopter toward the right into the wind, then subsequently increased left pedal pressure to stop the turn; however, the helicopter continued right and began to spin. The pilot lowered the collective, and the right seat pilot took the flight controls in an attempt to slow the spin. The helicopter impacted the ground hard, spreading the landing skids and resulting in the tail rotor contacting the ramp. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The helicopter’s altitude above the ramp, its low forward speed, and the right turn were conducive to the onset of a loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE). Given the lack of mechanical anomalies, it is likely that the loss of control was due to LTE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.