jackmcgo210 In Memoriam
Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Ecureuil N106LN
Life Net /AIR METHODS CORP
Serial Number 3251
MFR Year 1999
Engine Model TURBOMECA ARRIEL 1SER
On November 2, 2004, at 0731 mountain standard time, a Eurocopter AS350B3, N106LN, experienced a partial power loss after takeoff followed by a hard landing into a parking lot, in Sierra Vista, Arizona. LifeNet, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a positioning flight. The commercial pilot and two medical flight crew were not injured, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan had been filed for the flight that was destined for Portal, Arizona.
The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Accident Report and in a telephone interview with the National Transporation Safety Board investigator (IIC), that he and two medical attendants were on a flight to pickup a patient. Prior to takeoff he checked his instrument panel and then lifted the helicopter to a 50-foot hover over the elevated pad at Sierra Vista Hospital, which positioned the helicopter about 100 feet above ground level (agl). After receiving clearance from the Sierra Vista Municipal Airport tower he transitioned to forward flight. About 10 seconds later, at 35 knots and between 150 to 200 feet agl, he sensed the engine turbine start to spool down towards idle. He lowered the collective and saw a red 'GOV' light illuminated on the instrument panel. He
identified a bank parking lot as a possible emergency landing area. He flew the helicopter about 1/8 mile towards the parking lot, working the collective to try to keep the helicopter above the trees and the roofs of houses. He lined up for the parking lot and used all the available rotor rpm to arrest the landing. The helicopter landed hard collapsing the landing skids, and the ship slid about 100 feet, rotating 90 degrees to the left as it did so. After the helicopter's motion had stopped, the main rotor was still rotating at a slower rpm, and the engine was operating at what seemed like a low idle speed. He rolled the twist grip to 'min,' pulled the fuel shutoff valve, and used the rotor brake to stop the rotor. Throughout the emergency landing he did not recall hearing a "low rotor rpm" aural warning.
Eurocopter AS 350 B3 Ecureuil N106LN
Life Net /AIR METHODS CORP
Serial Number 3251
MFR Year 1999
Engine Model TURBOMECA ARRIEL 1SER
On November 2, 2004, at 0731 mountain standard time, a Eurocopter AS350B3, N106LN, experienced a partial power loss after takeoff followed by a hard landing into a parking lot, in Sierra Vista, Arizona. LifeNet, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a positioning flight. The commercial pilot and two medical flight crew were not injured, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan had been filed for the flight that was destined for Portal, Arizona.
The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Accident Report and in a telephone interview with the National Transporation Safety Board investigator (IIC), that he and two medical attendants were on a flight to pickup a patient. Prior to takeoff he checked his instrument panel and then lifted the helicopter to a 50-foot hover over the elevated pad at Sierra Vista Hospital, which positioned the helicopter about 100 feet above ground level (agl). After receiving clearance from the Sierra Vista Municipal Airport tower he transitioned to forward flight. About 10 seconds later, at 35 knots and between 150 to 200 feet agl, he sensed the engine turbine start to spool down towards idle. He lowered the collective and saw a red 'GOV' light illuminated on the instrument panel. He
identified a bank parking lot as a possible emergency landing area. He flew the helicopter about 1/8 mile towards the parking lot, working the collective to try to keep the helicopter above the trees and the roofs of houses. He lined up for the parking lot and used all the available rotor rpm to arrest the landing. The helicopter landed hard collapsing the landing skids, and the ship slid about 100 feet, rotating 90 degrees to the left as it did so. After the helicopter's motion had stopped, the main rotor was still rotating at a slower rpm, and the engine was operating at what seemed like a low idle speed. He rolled the twist grip to 'min,' pulled the fuel shutoff valve, and used the rotor brake to stop the rotor. Throughout the emergency landing he did not recall hearing a "low rotor rpm" aural warning.