# NTSB ERA11CA433: Eurocopter AS 350 B3, N413LP, Humacao, PR, July 30, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 30, 2011, 17:56 local (21:56 UTC) - Place: Humacao, PR - Coordinates: 18.153888, -65.82917 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.1539&lon=-65.8292&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Tailstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81336 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA433 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81336/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81336 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA433 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a building during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B3, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=8680954), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: residence/building](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md?model=8680954), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B3, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=8680954), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Tailstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091) (defining event); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md?model=8680954), [All aircraft, 124 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while on final approach, the helicopter's tail rotor impacted the corner of a building while he was trying to avoid flying debris. Following the impact, he immediately lowered the collective and landed without further incident. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies during the approach to landing. Examination of the helicopter revealed substantial damage to the tail rotor, gearbox, right horizontal stabilizer, and the tail boom. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while on final approach, the tail rotor impacted the corner of a building while he was trying to avoid flying debris. Following the impact, he immediately lowered the collective and landed without further incident. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies during the approach to landing. Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the tail rotor, gearbox, right horizontal stabilizer, and the tail boom. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N413LP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N413LP), registered now, S/N 3228, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER AS 350 B3 - Registry model: [Eurocopter AS 350 B3](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b3) (registry code 8680954) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-1SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1ser) (registry code 60030, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3228 - Airframe hours: 1209 - Engines: TURBOMECA ARRIEL 1SER 681 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Helicorp Inc - Registered owner: Helicorp Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 29, 2010, 99 hours before - Departed: Las Piedras, PR - Destination: Humacao, PR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 14, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 7,806 total, 1,197 in this make and model, 7,806 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: TJSJ ## Other investigations on N413LP (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 ERA17LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA126), Feb 21, 2017: Eurocopter AS 350 (N413LP), San Juan, PR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's incorrect manipulations of the twist grip throttle control during a practice autorotation, which resulted in an engine overspeed and subsequent fire. ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 9, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81336. 13.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352039&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo; FAA Photo; Building Damage. (item 2, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352043&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo;%20FAA%20Photo;%20Building%20Damage.-Master.PDF - Photo; FAA Driveshaft Damage. (item 3, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352044&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo;%20FAA%20Driveshaft%20Damage.-Master.PDF - FAA Photo; Tail Rotor Damage. (item 4, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352045&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Photo;%20Tail%20Rotor%20Damage.-Master.PDF - FAA Photo, Tail Boom Damage. (item 5, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352046&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Photo,%20Tail%20Boom%20Damage.-Master.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports; Record of telephone conversation, FAA Inspector. (item 6, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352047&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports;%20Record%20of%20telephone%20conversation,%20FAA%20Inspector.-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.