# NTSB CHI08TA239: Eurocopter AS-350-B3, N204TU, Mount Clemens, MI, August 2, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 2, 2008, 17:35 local (21:35 UTC)
- Place: Mount Clemens, MI
- Coordinates: 42.579761, -82.810249 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5798&lon=-82.8102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 6, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Detroit FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68618
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08TA239
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68618/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08TA239

## Probable cause

The pilot's unintentional lowering of the collective control during approach to land, resulting in a hard landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Rotorcraft flight control: main rotor control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046710): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046710/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The operator reported that the helicopter had landed on the landing platform when, 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.

## Factual narrative

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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N204TU (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER AS-350-B3
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 4413
- Airframe hours: 95
- Engines: Turbomeca Aerial 2B1 747 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft - federal, Public use
- Operator: US Customs and Border Protection
- Registered owner: Dept. of Homeland Security
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 2008
- Departed: PHN, PORT HURON, MI
- Destination: MTC, MOUNT CLEMENS, MI
- Airport: MTC, Selfridge Air National Guard B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 28, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 2,549 total, 62 in this make and model, 1,957 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 7 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: MTC

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.

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