# NTSB ERA22LA231: Eurocopter AS355, N448JM, Palm Beach, FL, May 19, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 19, 2022, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Palm Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 26.448361, -80.058922
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.4484&lon=-80.0589&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105102
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105102/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105102
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA231

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in the unlatched engine cowling opening and being struck by a main rotor blade during flight. Contributing to the accident was the mechanic’s failure to properly secure the cowling following maintenance.

## Findings

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

- [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 355N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=8680966), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md)
- [Doors: service doors](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035240): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 355N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035240/cases.md?model=8680966), [All aircraft, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035240/cases.md)
- [Maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 355N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000/cases.md?model=8680966), [All aircraft, 143 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000/cases.md)
- [Inspection: post maintenance inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061515): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 355N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061515/cases.md?model=8680966), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061515/cases.md)
- [Inspection: post maintenance inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061515): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 355N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061515/cases.md?model=8680966), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061515/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 355N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=8680966), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md)
- [Enroute: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) (defining event); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 355N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=8680966), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot picked up the helicopter from a repair facility and while flying home heard a “boom,” felt a vibration in the tail, and performed a precautionary landing to a beach. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed that the engine cowling had become unlatched and was subsequently struck by a main rotor blade. The detached cowling then struck the horizontal stabilizer and tail rotor, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported that he did not confirm that the engine cowling latch was properly secured during his preflight inspection. He reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter before the cowling opened and detached.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N448JM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N448JM-2025-12-29), registration cancelled 2025-12-29, S/N 5627, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER AS355 (N)
- Registry model: [Eurocopter AS 355N](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-355n) (registry code 8680966) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIUS-1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arrius-1a) (registry code 60011, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5627
- Year built: 1997
- Airframe hours: 3547.2
- Engines: Eurocopter Turbomeca Arrius 1A 479 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 19, 2022
- Departed: PBI, West Palm Beach, FL
- Destination: HWO, North Perry, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2022; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,707 total, 212 in this make and model, 2,292 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: BCT, 5 nm away
- METAR: KBCT 191553Z 12006KT 10SM SCT050 32/23 A3003

## 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 20220519007479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220519007479A), May 19, 2022: Eurocopter AS 355N, Delray Beach, FL, Substantial damage. NTSB # ERA22LA231 Atqa no.: pending Registration: N488JM Sas activity id: SO19202212919 Make: 1997 Eurocopter Model: as 355N Serial number: 5627 Overview: on…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 3, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105102. 5.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13936137&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Signed_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- FAA inspector statements (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 576 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13936017&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 3, PDF, 9 pages, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13935608&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA22LA231%20Photo%20Array-Rel.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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