# Accident 20190129000459A: Eurocopter AS 350 B2, Tampa, FL, January 29, 2019

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 29, 2019, 19:59 local time
- Place: Tampa, FL
- Airport: Tampa Executive
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 28.0111° N, 82.3444° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0111&lon=-82.3444&mi=10
- Aircraft: N680DG, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N680DG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Eurocopter AS 350 B2 (registry code 8680950, https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Turbomeca ARRIEL-1D1 (registry code 60053, https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1d1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER AS 350 B2
- Reported engine: TURBOMECA ARRIEL 1D1
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor, private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 3,180 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 223 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA19CA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA121) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190129000459A

## Narrative

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

DURING FLIGHT TRAINING IN PREPARATION FOR A COMMERCIAL CHECKRIDE THE INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT WERE PRACTICING AUTOROTATIONS TO A POWERED RECOVERY. THE STUDENT INITIATED THE AUTOROTATION AT 1000 FEET AGL WITH THE INSTRUCTOR REDUCING POWER TO 70 PERCENT. AT 300 FEET AGL THE INSTRUCTOR REINTRODUCED POWER. THE STUDENT INITIATED THE FLARE AT 100 FEET AGL AND EXPECTED TO RECOVER AT 25 FEET AGL. THE ROTOR SPEED CONTINUED TO DROP AND THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK THE CONTROLS. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE RUNWAY AND BOUNCED ONCE CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE TAIL BOOM WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE FUSELAGE AND THE FLIR CAMERA MOUNTED ON THE BELLY.

## 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 GAA19CA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA121), Jan 29, 2019: Eurocopter AS 350 (N680DG), Tampa, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper landing flare while practicing autorotations, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.

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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