# NTSB WPR09CA148: Eurocopter AS350BA, N234AH, Long Beach, CA, March 8, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 8, 2009, 08:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Long Beach, CA - Coordinates: 33.733333, -118.191665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7333&lon=-118.1917&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73468 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73468/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73468 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA148 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudged speed and altitude, which resulted in an undershoot of the landing zone. ## 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 BA, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8680955), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 BA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=8680955), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 BA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=8680955), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Eurocopter AS 350 BA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=8680955), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot said that he thought that the approach to the helipad seemed and felt normal, but in retrospect was flat. A witness thought that the approach was flat and fast. He indicated that the helicopter was in a nose-high attitude when the tail rotor hit the ground between rocks at the waterline and the edge of the pad. The pilot felt a jolt followed by a shutter. Because of the tail rotor damage, the helicopter yawed out of control to the left. It rotated 360 degrees as the pilot lowered the collective. Once completely on the ground, he pulled the fuel flow control lever out of the flight gate, pulled the emergency fuel shutoff control, and powered everything down while applying the main rotor brake. ## Factual narrative The pilot said he thought that the approach to the helipad seemed and felt normal, but in retrospect was flat. A witness on a passing ship thought that the approach was flat and fast. He indicated that the helicopter was in a nose high attitude when the tail rotor hit the ground between rocks at the waterline and the edge of the pad. The pilot felt a jolt followed by a shutter. Because of the tail rotor damage, the helicopter yawed out of control to the left. It rotated 360 degrees as the pilot lowered the collective. Once completely on the ground, he pulled the fuel flow control lever (FFC) out of the flight gate, pulled the emergency fuel shutoff control, and powered everything down while applying the main rotor brake. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N234AH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N234AH-2020-01-31), registration cancelled 2020-01-31, S/N 2489, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER AS350BA - Registry model: [Eurocopter AS 350 BA](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-ba) (registry code 8680955) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-1SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1ser) (registry code 60030, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2489 - Airframe hours: 8130 - Engines: Turbomeca Ariel 1D1 650 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Island Express Helicopters, Inc. - Registered owner: Island Express Helicopters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 18, 2009, 30 hours before - Departed: LGB, Long Beach, CA - Destination: Long Beach, CA - Airport: None, Queensway Heliport, runway 01, 60 × 60 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; private, flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 5, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 1,578 total, 182 in this make and model, 1,509 as pilot in command, 96 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KLGB, 5 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 6, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73468. 706 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 582 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40310830&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40310933&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.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.