# NTSB ERA24LA287: Airbus Helicopters AS350, N174SC, Sanford, FL, June 27, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 27, 2024, 15:34 local (19:34 UTC)
- Place: Sanford, FL
- Coordinates: 28.777642, -81.231234 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7776&lon=-81.2312&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 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/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 194587
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA287
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194587/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194587
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA287

## Probable cause

The helicopter pilot’s improper maneuvering at low altitude in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in the helicopter entering a vortex ring state, and hard landing during a subsequent autorotation.

## Findings

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

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Airbus Helicopters AS350B3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1145005), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Airbus Helicopters AS350B3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=1145005), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) (defining event); cases with it: [Airbus Helicopters AS350B3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md?model=1145005), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md)
- [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Airbus Helicopters AS350B3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1145005), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

As part of a law enforcement simulation exercise, the helicopter pilot was orbiting near the departure airport between 200 to 300 ft above ground level, at 20 to 40 knots indicated airspeed. The pilot described that while the helicopter was in a left orbit the airspeed decreased to near 0. At that time, the helicopter began to descend in a vortex ring state (VRS). Due to the low altitude, the pilot was not able to recover from VRS and entered an autorotation to a grass area on the airport. The helicopter subsequently landed hard and came to rest upright in the grass area resulting in substantial damage to the helicopter’s tail boom. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N174SC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N174SC-2025-12-19), registration cancelled 2025-12-19, S/N 9349, built 2023 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS AS350 (B3)
- Registry model: [Airbus Helicopters AS350B3](https://openairdocs.org/model/airbus-helicopters-as350b3) (registry code 1145005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Safran ARRIEL-2D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/safran-arriel-2d) (registry code 59997, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 9349
- Year built: 2023
- Airframe hours: 402.1
- Engines: SAFRAN ARRIEL 2D 952 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Public use
- Operator: Seminole County Sheriffs Office
- Registered owner: Seminole County Sheriffs Office
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, June 17, 2024, 1 hours before
- Departed: SFB, Sanford, FL
- Airport: SFB, Orlando Sanford International Airport
- Equipment: Data recorder, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Video recording device, ADS-B, Auto-pilot

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 16, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 979 total, 934 in this make and model, 912 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 11 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observed at: SFB, 1 nm away
- METAR: KSFB 271949Z 29011G20KT 10SM TS FEW055 SCT080 BKN100 32/22 A2988 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT ALQDS TSB43

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 25, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194587. 5.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17349595&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot written statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 239 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17341926&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Weather report (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17342515&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Metars-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photograph (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 1 photo, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17342307&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photograph_Redacted-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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