14 CFR Public Use
Accident occurred Monday, September 24, 2012 in Las Vegas, NV
Probable Cause Approval Date: 06/11/2014
Aircraft: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELI CO 369FF, registration: N911BL
Injuries: 2 Minor.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this public aircraft accident report.
The pilot-in-command (PIC), who was giving instruction, was demonstrating a 270-degree autorotation in a gusting west wind at a density altitude of about 5,100 feet. The PIC began the autorotation heading south and turned left; the helicopter experienced a tailwind during the turn. The PIC reported that, because of the tailwind, soon after commencing the autorotation, he increased his bank angle to maintain his ground reference to the intended touchdown point. The pilot receiving instruction stated that, moments later, the helicopter was in a high descent rate, and its airspeed was decreasing. The helicopter impacted terrain in a tail-low attitude. Subsequently, the tailboom separated from the fuselage, the helicopter rolled onto its right side, and the right landing skid folded under the fuselage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed while performing a 270-degree practice autorotation with a gusting tailwind at a high-density altitude.
On September 24, 2012, about 1600 Pacific daylight time, a McDonnell Douglas 369FF helicopter, N911BL, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing following a practice autorotation at North Las Vegas Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada. The two pilots, who both held flight instructor certificates, sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was registered to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the flight was a public aircraft operation. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local training flight, which had originated from North Las Vegas Airport approximately 30 minutes before the accident. A flight plan had not been filed.
The pilot-in-command (PIC)/pilot-giving-instruction stated that he and the pilot receiving instruction were alternately practicing autorotations. He decided to demonstrate a 270-degree autorotation to the touchdown point on taxiway Zulu. He began the maneuver on a 180-degree heading, 800 feet above the ground and an airspeed of 85 knots. As he crossed his intended touchdown point, he rolled the throttle back to begin the autorotation. He thought the wind was about 180 to 230 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 26 knots. He entered a left turn. While in the turn, he reported that because of a tailwind he increased his bank angle to maintain his ground reference to the touchdown point. The pilot receiving instruction reported that moments later, the helicopter was in a high rate of descent and its airspeed was decreasing. The helicopter impacted terrain in a tail low attitude. Subsequently the tail boom separated from the fuselage, the helicopter rolled onto its right side, and the right landing skid support structure folded under the fuselage.
At 1605, the reported wind at North Las Vegas Airport, elevation 2,205 feet, was 270 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 22 knots. The calculated density altitude, using the barometric pressure of 29.77 inches of mercury, was 5,116 feet.
NTSB Identification: WPR12TA436
14 CFR Public Use
Accident occurred Monday, September 24, 2012 in Las Vegas, NV
Aircraft: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELI CO 369FF, registration: N911BL
Injuries: 2 Minor.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this public aircraft accident report.
On September 24, 2012, about 1600 Pacific daylight time, a McDonnell Douglas 369FF helicopter, N911BL, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing following a practice autorotation at North Las Vegas Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada. The two pilots, who both held flight instructor certificates, sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was registered to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the flight was a public aircraft operation. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local training flight, which had originated from North Las Vegas Airport approximately 30 minutes before the accident. A flight plan had not been filed.
The senior of the two pilots stated that they were alternately practicing autorotations. While he was maneuvering the helicopter, it got into a high vertical sink rate and impacted terrain. The helicopter rolled onto its right side, separating its tail boom and damaging the main rotor system.
Two officers were hospitalized as a precaution after a Metro helicopter took a hard landing in North Las Vegas.
It happened during a training incident just after 4 p.m. on Monday.
The helicopter's pilot and one other officer were the only people on board.
It's not clear what caused the helicopter's hard landing.
Metro and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating was caused the incident. NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- A Metro Police rescue helicopter was on its side at the North Las Vegas Airport Monday afternoon. According to police, the MD-500 helicopter ended up on its side near Metro's air support facility during what the department is describing as a training incident. The helicopter's pilot and second officer were taken to University Medical Center as a precaution. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.
Story and video: http://www.8newsnow.com
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 911BL Make/Model: 369F Description: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS 369FF
Date: 09/24/2012 Time: 2300
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: None Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Substantial
LOCATION
City: NORTH LAS VEGAS State: NV Country: US
DESCRIPTION
N911BL MCDONNELL DOUGLAS 369FF ROTORCRAFT ON LANDING, ROLLED OVER, NORTH
LAS VEGAS, NV
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 2 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk: 2
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Public Use Phase: Landing Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: LAS VEGAS, NV (WP19) Entry date: 09/25/2012
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