ROTORCRAFT ACCIDENT WATCH
of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Visual meteoro logical conditions prevailed and a compa ny visual flight rules flight plan was filed and active. The local flight originated at Space Coast Regional Airport (TIX), Titusville, Florida, at 0810.
According to the CFI, he was in the lead helicopter of a flight of four, conducting a check ride with students from the Mexican Federal Police. The flight landed at Echo Training Area, where the students switched seats. During the next takeoff, with the CFI at the controls, the helicopter rolled to the right immediately as the col lective was raised. He attempted to arrest the roll with opposite cyclic, however the helicopter continued to roll over and came to rest inverted. The main rotor blades separated from the hub and the tail boom fractured.
CEN12CA191 - FACTUAL INJURIES: 1 UNINJURED.
CEN12LA181 - PRELIMINARY INJURIES: 2 UNINJURED.
On March 5, 2012, about 1210 central standard time, a Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 269C helicopter, N1099N, operated by a private pilot, sustained sub stantial damage when it impacted terrain during a forced landing near Staples, Texas. The personal flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 and was operating in day visual meteor ological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight’s origin and destination are unknown.
According to an initial pilot statement, he heard a “pop” sound and the helicop
ter yawed. He performed a forced landing and the helicopter impacted terrain hard. Main rotor blades impacted the tailboom and caused substantial damage to the tail boom.
ERA12LA210 - PRELIMINARY INJURIES: 3 MINOR.
On March 6, 2012, about 0930 eastern standard time, a Bell 206B, N83AP, was substantially damaged during takeoff from a helicopter training site near Titusville, Florida. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and two noncertificated student pilots sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was registered to a corpo ration and operated under the provisions
The helicopter was tied down overnight on the helideck of an offshore oil plat form. The pilot stated the helicopter pre flight had been completed hours prior to the first flight. During the walkaround prior to the first flight of the day, he over looked the right rear tiedown which was one of four connected to the fuselage. The pilot attempted to takeoff with the tie down still attached to the helicopter which resulted in a dynamic rollover. The helicopter remained on the helideck. Substantial damage resulted to the tail boom and the right side of the helicopter.
WPR12LA140 - PRELIMINARY INJURIES: 1 MINOR.
On March 15, 2012, about 1645 Pacific Editor’s Note: Although an accident is painful for all involved, a cursory review of what accidents have occurred are both
reflective and instructive. Accident reports give us unique insights into specific flights and situations that may make each of us reflect on our own operations or current flying environment. I encourage pilots, mechanics, crewmembers, and decision makers to make it a habit to study the industry’s recent accident history. If they trigger a higher awareness that saves even one life or one airframe, it will have been worth the read.
MAY 2012 30
ROTORCRAFTPRO.COM
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