Eurocopter AS-350-B3 N204TU

Summary

On 2 August 2008 at about 21:35 local time, a Eurocopter AS-350-B3 registered N204TU, operated by US Customs and Border Protection, was involved in an accident near Mount Clemens, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 August 2008 at 21:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Mount Clemens, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Selfridge Air National Guard B (MTC)

Coordinates

42.5798, -82.8102

Aircraft

Eurocopter AS-350-B3

Registration

N204TU

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

US Customs and Border Protection

Operating rule

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Port Huron → Mount Clemens

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI08TA239

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's unintentional lowering of the collective control during approach to land, resulting in a hard landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The operator reported that the helicopter had landed on the landing platform when, after shutdown, it was discovered that the helicopter was positioned too far aft on the platform. The pilot then restarted the helicopter and lifted off to reposition the helicopter on the platform. During this second approach to the platform, the pilot removed his hand from the collective control to turn off an audio radio. When the pilot returned his hand to the collective, he inadvertently lowered the collective and the helicopter descended and struck the ground.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.