Summary
On August 02, 2008, a Eurocopter AS-350-B3 (N204TU) was involved in an incident near Mount Clemens, MI. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's unintentional lowering of the collective control during approach to land, resulting in a hard landing.
On August 2, 2008, about 1735 eastern daylight time, a Eurocopter AS-350-B3, N204TU, operated by the United States Customs and Border Protection as a public use flight was substantially damaged during a hard landing to a platform at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base near Mount Clemons, Michigan. The flight was conducted in visual meteorological conditions and was not on a flight plan. No injuries were reported. The flight originated at 1643 from the Saint Clair County International Airport, Port Huron, Michigan.
A report submitted by the operator stated that the helicpoter returned from a flight and was landed on a landing platform. After shutdown, it was discovered that the helicopter was positioned too far aft on the platform.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CHI08TA239. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N204TU.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's unintentional lowering of the collective control during approach to land, resulting in a hard landing.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
On August 2, 2008, about 1735 eastern daylight time, a Eurocopter AS-350-B3, N204TU, operated by the United States Customs and Border Protection as a public use flight was substantially damaged during a hard landing to a platform at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base near Mount Clemons, Michigan. The flight was conducted in visual meteorological conditions and was not on a flight plan. No injuries were reported. The flight originated at 1643 from the Saint Clair County International Airport, Port Huron, Michigan.
A report submitted by the operator stated that the helicpoter returned from a flight and was landed on a landing platform. After shutdown, it was discovered that the helicopter was positioned too far aft on the platform. The pilot then restarted the helicopter and lifted off to reposition the helicopter on the platform. During this second approach to the platform, the pilot removed his hand from the collective control to turn off an audio radio. When the pilot returned his hand to the collective, he inadvertently lowered the collective and the helicopter descended and struck the ground.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI08TA239