Summary
On August 17, 2004, a Eurocopter AS 350 B2 (N631SD) was involved in an incident near New Hudson, MI. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The autorotation performed by the dual student and the delayed remedial action by the certified flight instructor.
On August 17, 2004, at 1815 eastern daylight time, a Eurocopter AS B2, N631SD, operated by the Oakland Country Sheriff, impacted terrain while practicing low altitude autorotation near New Hudson, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 public-use instructional flight was not operating on a flight plan. The private pilot and certified flight instructor (CFI) were uninjured. The flight originated from Oakland County International Airport, Pontiac, Michigan, at 1740.
The private pilot stated the CFI pulled the throttle back and she entered an autorotation. The CFI rolled the throttle back to the full on position. The helicopter was leveled and collective was pulled.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CHI04CA233. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N631SD.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The autorotation performed by the dual student and the delayed remedial action by the certified flight instructor.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On August 17, 2004, at 1815 eastern daylight time, a Eurocopter AS B2, N631SD, operated by the Oakland Country Sheriff, impacted terrain while practicing low altitude autorotation near New Hudson, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 public-use instructional flight was not operating on a flight plan. The private pilot and certified flight instructor (CFI) were uninjured. The flight originated from Oakland County International Airport, Pontiac, Michigan, at 1740.
The private pilot stated the CFI pulled the throttle back and she entered an autorotation. The CFI rolled the throttle back to the full on position. The helicopter was leveled and collective was pulled. The helicopter landed hard.
The CFI stated that he noticed an excessive sink rate and he applied the throttle with no response. He applied cyclic to help the private pilot level the helicopter and collective to cushion the landing.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI04CA233