BELL 407
Fort Worth, TX, September 23, 2009
Event Information
| Date | September 23, 2009 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| Location | Fort Worth, TX |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 33.04861, -97.29500 |
| Airport | Fort Worth Alliance |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
| NTSB Number | CEN09CA604 |
| Event ID | 20090925X05043 |
Aircraft
| Make | BELL |
| Model | 407 |
| Registration # | N6040Y |
| Operator | BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON |
| Owner | TEXTRON FINANCIAL CORP |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| 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
Failure of the pilot to maintain control during landing.
Full Narrative
The flight instructor was demonstrating a landing using the manual Full-Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) mode. While on short final, approximately 3 to 5 feet above ground level, the helicopter quickly descended right and forward. Suspecting wind shear, the flight instructor applied corrective controls, but was unable to reverse the downward motion prior to ground contact. The helicopter's left rear skid contacted the ground followed by the right rear skid before the flight instructor could bring the helicopter back to a hover. A post-flight examination of the helicopter revealed damage to the vertical stabilizer and tail boom.
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.