N365WM

Substantial
None

AEROSPATIALE AS 365 N2 DAUPHINS/N: 6429

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, May 25, 2014
NTSB Number
CEN14CA252
Location
Constantine, MI
Event ID
20140527X11007
Coordinates
41.832500, -85.668334
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
3
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's loss of control while entering a vortex ring state (settling with power) condition, which resulted in a hard landing.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N365WM
Make
AEROSPATIALE
Serial Number
6429
Year Built
1991
Model / ICAO
AS 365 N2 DAUPHIN

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
WEST MICHIGAN AIR CARE
Address
PO BOX 50406
Status
Deregistered
City
KALAMAZOO
State / Zip Code
MI 49005-0406
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that he positioned the helicopter to land on a westerly heading with the light and variable wind from the west. About 200 feet above the ground he noticed that the helicopter was descending so he increased the collective to arrest the rate of descent. The torque gage was increasing from 50% to 60%. He lowered the collective in attempt to get into clean air and then pulled back on the cyclic to arrest the forward airspeed. The helicopter continued to descend quickly so the pilot attempted to control the helicopter to the ground, maintain an upright attitude, and avoid obstacles. The helicopter landed hard and bounced once before it came to rest in the parking lot. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. A video of the accident sequence was reviewed. The video captured the helicopter as it approached the landing zone, made a right descending turn and then hover taxied over the landing zone. As the helicopter continued to descend, the rate of descent increased. The helicopter continued to the ground where it landed hard and bounced one time. It came to rest upright in the parking lot. The video did not reveal any anomalies with the helicopter or engine sounds. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the right fuselage and lower right vertical stabilizer.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN14CA252