# NTSB GAA18CA070: Eurocopter AS 350, N790AM, Santa Rosa, AZ, December 6, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 6, 2017, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Santa Rosa, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.233612, -112.183609 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2336&lon=-112.1836&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 14, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96434
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96434/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA070

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B3, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=8680954), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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 AS 350 B3, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8680954), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 B3, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=8680954), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while landing off airport, the helicopter landed slightly harder than normal. The pilot flew the helicopter back to the airport without further incident. A postaccident examination revealed that the helicopter had sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, while landing off-airport, the helicopter landed slightly harder than normal. The helicopter was flown back to the airport without further incident. A post-accident examination revealed the helicopter had sustained substantial damage to the tail-boom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N790AM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N790AM), registered now, S/N 4298, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER AS 350
- Registry model: [Eurocopter AS 350 B3](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b3) (registry code 8680954) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-2B1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-2b1) (registry code 60056, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 4298
- Year built: 2007
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Public use
- Operator: US Department Of Homeland Security
- Registered owner: US Department Of Homeland Security
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: DMA, TUCSON, AZ
- Destination: DMA, TUCSON, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 6,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observed at: KDMA, 66 nm away

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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