# NTSB ERA20CA106: Aerospatiale AS350, N188FS, Tampa, FL, February 18, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 18, 2020, 15:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Tampa, FL
- Coordinates: 28.013889, -82.345275 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0139&lon=-82.3453&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Autorotation: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA / FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 100970
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100970/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100970
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA106

## Probable cause

The flight instructor's inadvertent throttle reduction below idle, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and subsequent impact with terrain following a power-off autorotation.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Airbus Helicopters AS350B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=1145102), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Engine fuel and control: fuel controlling system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057320): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Airbus Helicopters AS350B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057320/cases.md?model=1145102), [All aircraft, 59 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057320/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Autorotation: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370); cases with it: [Airbus Helicopters AS350B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=1145102), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md)
- [Autorotation: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Airbus Helicopters AS350B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1145102), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Autorotation: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Airbus Helicopters AS350B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1145102), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Airbus Helicopters AS350B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1145102), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Airbus Helicopters AS350B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1145102), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Airbus Helicopters AS350B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1145102), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight instructor in the helicopter reported that he directed the pilot receiving instruction to conduct an autorotation with a 180° turn, followed by a power recovery. Abeam the departure end of runway, he moved the throttle lever from the "fly" position to idle. While conducting the maneuver, the pilot overshot the runway and aligned the helicopter with the parallel taxiway. Upon realizing that the helicopter was not in the correct position, the pilots chose to abort the maneuver and perform a go-around. While the pilot continued to fly the helicopter, the instructor inadvertently moved the throttle lever from idle aft toward the "off" position and then forward to the "fly" position. The engine experienced a total loss of power, and the instructor adjusted the throttle to no avail. As the helicopter descended, the pilot requested that the instructor "get on the controls." The instructor took the controls, conducted a power-off autorotation, and landed the helicopter on the taxiway. The helicopter skidded about 180 ft, departed the taxiway onto adjacent grass, and came to rest in a drainage ditch. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administrator inspector who examined the helicopter reported that the left antivibrator mount beam had sustained substantial damage.

## Factual narrative

The flight instructor of the helicopter reported that, he directed the airplane rated pilot to conduct an autorotation with a 180° turn, followed with a power recovery. Abeam the departure end of runway, he moved the throttle lever from the FLY position to IDLE. While conducting the maneuver, the student pilot overshot the runway and aligned the helicopter with the parallel taxiway. Upon realizing the unacceptable position, they elected to abort the maneuver and perform a go-around. While the student pilot continued to fly the helicopter, the instructor inadvertently moved the throttle lever from IDLE, aft, towards the OFF position, then forward, to the FLY position. The engine experienced a total loss of power and the instructor adjusted the throttle to no avail. As the helicopter continued the descent, the student pilot requested that the instructor "get on the controls". The instructor left the throttle in the full power position, took the controls and conduct a power-off autorotation. The helicopter landed on the taxiway, skidded about 180 feet, departed the taxiway, onto the adjacent grass and came to rest in a drainage ditch.The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administrator inspector who examined the helicopter at the accident site reported damage to the left anti-vibrator mount beam.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N188FS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N188FS-2022-09-01), registration cancelled 2022-09-01, S/N 7863, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerospatiale AS350 (B2)
- Registry model: [Airbus Helicopters AS350B2](https://openairdocs.org/model/airbus-helicopters-as350b2) (registry code 1145102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-1D1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1d1) (registry code 60053, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7863
- Year built: 2014
- Airframe hours: 2627.3
- Engines: SAFRAN/Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 72195 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office
- Registered owner: Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 9, 2019
- Departed: TPF, Tampa, FL
- Destination: VDF, Tampa, FL
- Airport: VDF, Tampa Executive, runway 18, 3,219 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display, Video recording device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 56; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 20, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 12,088 total, 1,226 in this make and model, 11,023 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 32; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 25, 2009; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 225 total, 104 in this make and model, 118 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: VDF

## 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 20200218002449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200218002449A), Feb 18, 2020: Airbus Helicopters Inc AS350B2, Tampa, FL, Substantial damage. On February 18/2020, at 1615 EST, N188FS, an Airbus Helicopters Inc AS350B2, registered to "hillsborough county sheriffs office", conducted a run-on landing at…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 31, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100970. 1.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 862 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481729&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Flight Instructor Statement (item 2, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481730&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Instructor%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Student Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481731&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Student%20Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Record of Phone Conversation (Flight Instructor) (item 4, .PDF, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481732&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation%20(Flight%20Instructor)-Master.PDF
- Record of Correspondence (FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481733&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Correspondence%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (item 6, .PDF, 276 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481734&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.

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