# NTSB GAA16CA328: Airbus AS350, N4035W, McAllen, TX, June 17, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 17, 2016, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: McAllen, TX - Coordinates: 26.176944, -98.241111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1769&lon=-98.2411&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Tailstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: US Customs and Border Protection, Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses, Airbus Helicopters (Advisor) - NTSB case key (mKey): 93444 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA328 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93444/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93444 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA328 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent input of the right tail rotor pedal, which resulted in a loss of directional control and an impact with service equipment. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B2, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8680950), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8680950), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=8680950), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=8680950), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B2, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=8680950), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8680950), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Tailstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091) (defining event); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md?model=8680950), [All aircraft, 124 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot reported that during the engine run-up sequence while on a movable helicopter pad attached to a tug, he noticed that the right rear door was not secure. The pilot unhooked his shoulder harness to reach back to secure the door. While attempting to reach the door, the pilot reported that he inadvertently applied right tail rotor pedal, which caused the helicopter to spin to the right multiple times. During the rotation the helicopter departed the movable pad, impacted the tug, and came to rest in an upright position on the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The helicopter pilot reported that during the engine run-up sequence while on a movable helicopter pad attached to a tug, he noticed that the right rear door was not secure. The pilot unhooked his shoulder harness to reach back to secure the door. While attempting to reach the door, the pilot reported that he inadvertently applied right tail rotor pedal, which caused the helicopter to spin to the right multiple times. During the rotation the helicopter departed the movable pad, impacted the tug, and came to rest in an upright position on the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4035W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4035W), registered now, S/N 2912, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIRBUS AS350 (B2) - Registry model: [Eurocopter AS 350 B2](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b2) (registry code 8680950) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-1SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1ser) (registry code 60030, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2912 - Year built: 1996 - Airframe hours: 10465.6 - Engines: TURBOMECA ARRIEL 1D1 712 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft - federal, Public use - Operator: US Department Of Homeland Security - Registered owner: US Department Of Homeland Security - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 13, 2016 - Departed: MFE, McAllen, TX - Destination: MFE, McAllen, TX - Airport: MFE, Mc Allen Miller Intl - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Satellite tracking device, Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 7,134 total, 478 in this make and model, 4,973 as pilot in command, 218 in the last 90 days, 87 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: KMFE, 1 nm away ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 20, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93444. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442468&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photograph (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 224 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442469&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photograph%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Party Form (item 3, .PDF, 310 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442470&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Party%20Form-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.