# NTSB LAX04TA218: Eurocopter France AS350 B3, N216HP, Livermore, CA, May 21, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 20, 2004, 18:00 local (May 21, 2004, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Livermore, CA
- Coordinates: 37.693332, -121.820274
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6933&lon=-121.8203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 59266
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04TA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59266/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04TA218

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstructions while landing.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, hover - in ground effect
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence

## Analysis

The helicopter drifted aft while the pilot was hover taxiing into position for landing and the tail rotor struck a chain link fence, damaging the tail rotor and tail boom.  Following the tail rotor strike, the pilot hovered the helicopter forward and landed.

## Factual narrative

On May 20, 2004, at 1800 Pacific daylight time, an Eurocopter AS350 B3, N216HP, collided with a chain link fence while hover landing at Livermore Municipal Airport, Livermore, California.  The California Highway Patrol was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The commercial pilot and single crewmember were not injured, and the helicopter was substantially damaged.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.  The public-use flight originated at Sacramento Executive Airport, Sacramento, California, at 1725.

The pilot told the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he was hover taxiing into position for landing at the Livermore north ramp, G area.  While executing the landing maneuver the helicopter drifted aft and the tail rotor struck a chain link fence, damaging the tail rotor and tail boom.  The pilot hovered the helicopter forward and landed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N216HP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Eurocopter France AS350 B3
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3330
- Airframe hours: 5234.8
- Engines: Turbomeca Aerial 2B 632 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Public use
- Registered owner: California Highway Patrol
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, May 16, 2004, 34.8 hours before
- Departed: KSAC, Sacaramento Exc, CA
- Destination: KLVK, Livermore, CA
- Airport: KLVK, Livermore Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review December 12, 2003; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,483 total, 1,189 in this make and model, 3,483 as pilot in command, 99 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: KLVK

## 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 20040520009779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040520009779A), May 20, 2004: Snias AS350B3, Livermore, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot was hover taxiing for parking when he allowed the helicopter to drift aft and strike a chain link fence with the tail rotor. This caused…

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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