# NTSB ERA16LA159: Eurocopter France AS350, N561AM, Jasper, GA, April 15, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 15, 2016, 19:55 local (23:55 UTC) - Place: Jasper, GA - Coordinates: 34.445556, -84.445831 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4456&lon=-84.4458&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 16, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Air Methods Corporation, FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93018 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93018/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93018 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA159 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of helicopter control due to vortex ring state, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to conduct the landing approach with a tailwind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter France AS350B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=8680973), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter France AS350B2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=8680973), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter France AS350B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8680973), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter France AS350B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=8680973), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) (defining event); cases with it: [Eurocopter France AS350B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md?model=8680973), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Eurocopter France AS350B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=8680973), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter was approaching the helipad with a direct 11-knot tailwind gusting to 16 knots. About 250 ft above ground level, the commercial pilot lost tail rotor and cyclic authority, and the helicopter pitched forward and accelerated toward the ground. The pilot recognized the onset of vortex ring state, reduced engine power, and attempted to initiate a go-around; however, insufficient altitude remained to complete the maneuver, and the helicopter landed hard, resulting in a partial separation of the tailboom. The operator reported and postaccident examination confirmed that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter before the accident. ## Factual narrative On April 15, 2016, about 1955 eastern daylight time, a Eurocopter France AS350B2, N561AM, operated by Air Methods Corporation, was substantially damaged during collision with terrain near Jasper, Georgia. The commercial pilot and three medical flight crewmembers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The helicopter was operating on a company visual flight rules flight plan from Lanier Park Hospital Heliport (38GA), Gainesville, Georgia, to a helipad at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital, Jasper, Georgia. The helicopter emergency medical service flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. According to a witness, the helicopter performed a circuit over the hospital prior to approaching the helipad to land. The helicopter began to descend, then about 110 ft above ground level (agl), the helicopter "bobbled up and down" and then it started to "fall quickly toward the ground." According to the operator and the pilot, the helicopter completed an orbit over the hospital helipad about 800 ft agl prior to beginning a descent for landing. The pilot initiated a downwind approach to the helipad over high tension power lines, about 250 ft agl, and then turned onto the final leg of the approach, which was on a 300° heading. He said the tail rotor became "difficult to control," and the helicopter pitched forward uncommanded, and then began a "rapid descent with forward airspeed." Believing he "might be in a vortex ring state condition," the pilot reduced the power and initiated a go-around but lacked sufficient altitude to complete the maneuver. The pilot maintained forward airspeed and raised the nose but landed hard, bounced three times, and came to rest upright. The pilot and three medical crew members then exited the helicopter without injury or assistance. The weather reported at Pickens County Airport (JZP), Jasper, Georgia, about a half-mile northwest of the accident location included wind from 120°at 11 knots, gusting to 16 knots, with 10 miles visibility. The temperature was 18° C, the dew point was -8° C, and the altimeter setting was 30.24 inches of mercury. Examination of the helicopter revealed substantial damage due to a partial separation of the taiboom. The operator reported, and examination confirmed, that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the accident. According to representatives from Airbus Helicopters, the maximum allowable engine torque setting was for the helicopter was 100 percent continuous. The Vehicle Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD) was reviewed under federal supervision and the data indicated overtorque events at 107 percent for 2 seconds and 113 percent for 1 second. According to the FAA Rotorcraft Flying Handbook, "vortex ring state" (or "settling with power") describes an aerodynamic condition where a helicopter may be in a vertical (with regard to the air mass) descent with up to maximum engine power applied, and little or no cyclicauthority. The term "settling with power" comes from the fact that a helicopter keeps settling, even though full engine power is applied. However, when the helicopter begins to descend vertically, it settles into its own downwash, which greatly enlarges the main rotor blade tip vortices. In this vortex ring state, most of the power developed by the engine is wasted in accelerating the air in a doughnut pattern around the rotor. A vortex ring state may be entered during any maneuver that places the main rotor in a condition of high upflow and low forward airspeed, including near-vertical descents of at least 300 ft per minute, and a horizontal velocity slower than that for effective translational lift. A fully developed vortex ring state can be "characterized by an unstable condition in which the helicopter experiences uncommanded pitch and roll oscillations." The handbook also noted that "when recovering from a settling with power condition, the tendency on the part of the pilot is to first try to stop the descent by increasing collective pitch. However, this only results in increasing the stalled area of the rotor, thus increasing the rate of descent. Recovery is accomplished by increasing forward speed, and/or partially lowering collective pitch." With sufficient altitude, temporary entrance into an autorotation will also enable safe exit from the vortex ring state. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N561AM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N561AM-2021-09-01), registration cancelled 2021-09-01, S/N 4381, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER FRANCE AS350 (B2) - Registry model: [Eurocopter France AS350B2](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-france-as350b2) (registry code 8680973) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-1D1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1d1) (registry code 60053, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 4381 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 3386 - Engines: Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 681 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: AirMethods Corporation - Registered owner: Td Aviation Finance LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 7, 2016, 57 hours before - Departed: 38GA, GAINESVILLE, GA - Destination: NONE, Jasper, GA - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: NONE, Hospital Helipad - Equipment: Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 7, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,214 total, 1,620 in this make and model, 4,214 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 120° at 11 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: JZP ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20160415004039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160415004039A), Apr 15, 2016: Eurocopter France AS350B2, Jasper, GA, Substantial damage. On April 15, 2016 approximately 1955 local time a europcopter 2007, model A350B2, s/n: 4381, with one pilot and three crewmembers attempted to land at piedmont… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 4, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93018. 9.2 MB in all. - Pilot's Statement (item 1, .PDF, 209 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461615&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461616&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Crew Statements (item 3, .PDF, 149 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461617&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Crew%20Statements-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 4, .PDF, 189 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461618&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 5, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461619&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 6, .PDF, 4 photos, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461620&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 7, .PDF, 452 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461621&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 8, .PDF, 146 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461622&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-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.