Sunday, January 05, 2020

Hard Landing: Eurocopter B2, N680DG; accident occurred January 29, 2019 at Tampa Executive Airport (KVDF), Hillsborough County, Florida

Left side tailboom damage. 
 Airbus

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Tampa, Florida

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms


https://registry.faa.gov/N680DG

Location: Tampa, FL
Accident Number: GAA19CA121
Date & Time: 01/29/2019, 1820 EST
Registration: N680DG
Aircraft: EUROCOPTER AS 350
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Public Aircraft 

Analysis

The flight instructor reported that, during preparation for the pilot's helicopter commercial checkride, they were going to practice autorotation procedures. He added that, during the second autorotation, he saw that the rotor rpm had dropped significantly and that the pilot was pulling up on the collective. He immediately took command of the flight controls and attempted to lower the collective. Subsequently, the helicopter landed hard, bounced, yawed right, bounced again, and then came to rest on the right side of the runway.

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom.

The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's improper landing flare while practicing autorotations, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.

Findings

Aircraft
Landing flare - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Miscellaneous/other
Attempted remediation/recovery
Hard landing (Defining event)
Loss of control on ground

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial; Private
Age: 49, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Helicopter; Instrument Helicopter
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/07/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/08/2018
Flight Time: (Estimated) 3180.7 hours (Total, all aircraft), 2972.8 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 223 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 33 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3.8 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 35, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/04/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 07/05/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 381.7 hours (Total, all aircraft), 131.7 hours (Total, this make and model), 278.7 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 69 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 27 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: EUROCOPTER
Registration: N680DG
Model/Series: AS 350 B2
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 2005
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 3904
Landing Gear Type: High Skid
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/21/2018, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 4960 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Turbo Shaft
Airframe Total Time: 5494 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Turbomeca (Safran)
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: Arriel 1D1
Registered Owner: Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office
Rated Power: 732 hp
Operator: Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KVDF, 22 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1815 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 350°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 260°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / 7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Tampa, FL (VDF)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Tampa, FL (VDF)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1805 EST
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: TAMPA EXECUTIVE (VDF)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt; Concrete
Airport Elevation: 21 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 23
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5000 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Simulated Forced Landing 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 28.011111, -82.344444 (est)

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