# Accident 20130722013009A: Eurocopter AS 350 B2, Las Vegas, NV, July 22, 2013

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 22, 2013, 07:15 local time
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Other, Specify
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: KBMA
- Location: 36.0747° N, 115.1514° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0747&lon=-115.1514&mi=10
- Aircraft: N115SH, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N115SH-2015-03-06) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Eurocopter AS 350 B2 (registry code 8680950, https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Turbomeca ARRIEL-1SER (registry code 60030, https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1ser) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER AS 350 B2
- Reported engine: TURBOMECA ARRIEL 1SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 3,135 total, 35 in this make and model, 135 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR13LA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA334) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130722013009A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AT APPROXIMATELY 7:15 AM LOCAL TIME ON 7-22-2013, N115SH, AN AS-350-B2 HELICOPTER,  WITH A COMPANY INSTRUCTOR AND PILOT ABOARD STRUCK THE TAIL ROTOR DURING A LIFT TO A HOVER.

THE NATURE OF THE FLIGHT INVOLVED DIFFERENCES TRAINING. THE PILOT INVOLVED RECEIVED INITIAL TRAINING IN AN AS-350-B2 WITH A RIGHT PILOT SEAT CONFIGURATION. THE INTENDED TRAINING OF THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT WAS TO FAMILIARIZE THE PILOT WITH A LEFT PILOT SEAT CONFIGURATION.

THE FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED WITHOUT DUAL FLIGHT CONTROLS INSTALLED. THE PILOT OCCUPIED THE FRONT LEFT PILOT SEAT WHILE THE INSTRUCTOR OCCUPIED A CENTER REAR SEAT. THE PILOT HAD NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE OPERATING THE AS-350-B2 FROM THE LEFT SEAT.

AIRCRAFT DAMAGE INCLUDED A DESTROYED TAIL ROTOR,  SEPARATION OF THE TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX AND THE COLLAPSE OF THE RIGHT SKID LANDING GEAR. TWO OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND WITH MINIMAL DAMAGE.  THE OVERALL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIAL. NO INJURIES OR POST CRASH FIRE WAS REPORTED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR13LA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA334), Jul 22, 2013: Eurocopter AS 350 B2 (N115SH), Las Vegas, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain control of the helicopter in a hover, which resulted in a tail rotor ground strike.

## Other reports on N115SH (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20110619012929I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110619012929I), Jun 19, 2011: Eurocopter AS 350 B2 (N115SH), AZ, Minor damage. The airman was decending through eternity Canyon on the way to the beach landing area located in the west end of the Grand Canyon. The airman stated that he…
- [Incident 20000406014769I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000406014769I), Apr 6, 2000: Snias AS350B2 (N115SH), Las Vegas, NV, Minor damage. (-23) Aircraft N115SH lifter to a hover, completed a 180 degree pedal turn and then proceeded to accelerate between two parked helicopters located upon the…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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