AAIB investigation to Eurocopter AS350B2 Ecureuil, G-VGMG

Loss of control on landing, Lake Farm, Old Race Course, Bideford, Devon, 11 July 2016

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 9 February 2017

• Category: General aviation - rotorcraft
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 11 July 2016
• Aircraft type: Eurocopter AS350B2 Ecureuil
• Location: Lake Farm, Old Race Course, Bideford, Devon
• Registration: G-VGMG

Summary:

During a practice hydraulics-off landing the handling pilot inadvertently tried to land downwind and then pitched up and slowed excessively when he realised this. The helicopter started to yaw so the commander, who was the examiner, took control but experienced a brief freezing of the cyclic, collective and pedals. The helicopter hit the ground heavily, nose down, on the front part of the skids, the tailboom failed and the main rotor struck the vertical fin. The cause of the control freeze could not be identified.

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Eurocopter AS350B2 Ecureuil, G-VGMG 02-17

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Published 9 February 2017