Accident Details
Date
Saturday, February 25, 2012
NTSB Number
WPR12CA118
Location
Poway, CA
Event ID
20120226X05751
Coordinates
32.933887, -116.996948
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during landing, which resulted in a hard landing.
Aircraft Information
Year Built
2002
Model / ICAO
AS 350 B3
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1
Seats
6
FAA Model
AS 350 B3
Registered Owner (Current)
Name
MOUNTAIN AIR HELICOPTERS INC
Address
3500 S DUPONT HWY
City
DOVER
State / Zip Code
DE 19901-6041
Country
United States
Analysis
The pilot stated that he was approaching a landing zone on a flat pinnacle with a tailwind. The helicopter was in a slow, stable, shallow approach when it encountered an updraft within 50 feet of the landing area. When the helicopter flew out of the updraft, it abruptly descended to the ground. The helicopter contacted the ground in a flat orientation, and the impact buckled the tail boom and sheared the left landing gear skid off.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR12CA118