EUROCOPTER AS 350
Tampa, FL — January 29, 2019
Event Information
| Date | January 29, 2019 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA19CA121 |
| Event ID | 20190129X01825 |
| Location | Tampa, FL |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 28.01111, -82.34444 |
| Airport | TAMPA EXECUTIVE |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | EUROCOPTER |
| Model | AS 350 |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | PUBU |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's improper landing flare while practicing autorotations, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
Full Narrative
The flight instructor reported that, during preparation for the pilot's helicopter commercial check ride, they were going to practice autorotation procedures. He added that, during the second autorotation, he saw that the rotor RPM had dropped significantly, and the pilot was pulling up on the collective. He immediately took over command of the flight controls and attempted to lower the collective. Subsequently, the helicopter landed hard, bounced, yawed right, bounced again, and 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.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.