EUROCOPTER AS350
Vermillion 229, January 12, 2009
Event Information
| Date | January 12, 2009 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| Location | Vermillion 229 |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 28.66667, -92.45834 |
| Airport | Vermilion 229 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
| NTSB Number | CEN09CA127 |
| Event ID | 20090112X90757 |
Aircraft
| Make | EUROCOPTER |
| Model | AS350 |
| Registration # | N193EH |
| Operator | Era Helicopters LLC |
| Owner | Era Helicopters LLC |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 135 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a known obstruction. Contributing to the accident was the location/placement of lightning rods in the landing zone.
Full Narrative
According to the pilot, he was departing the heliport at the oil rig platform and had brought the helicopter into a low hover. While in the hover, the tail rotor struck a two foot vertical lightning rod attached to the platform edge causing damage to the tail rotor blades, horizontal stabilizer, wrinkling the tail boom, and displacing the tail rotor gear box. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter prior to impact. The pilot stated that he had observed the lightning rod placement during previous landings on the platform, as well during the current 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.