Aviation Accident Summary NYC02LA083

New York, NY, USA

Aircraft #1

N19TD

Bell 206-L3

Analysis

After completing the approach phase of the landing, the pilot was in the process of transitioning to a hover, when he decided to reduce his airspeed by 2-3 mph by adding "a little" aft cyclic. During the application of aft cyclic, the tail of the helicopter dropped, and the tail rotor blades struck a 6-inch high cement curb block, which was located at the edge of the helipad. The helicopter touched down uneventfully, and the engine was secured. The pilot additionally stated that he was too low during the landing.

Factual Information

On April 13, 2002, about 1100 eastern daylight time, a Bell 206-L3 helicopter, N19TD, was substantially damaged while landing at the West 30th Street Heliport, New York, New York. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the positioning flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, while he was on approach for landing, he had completed the approach phase of the landing and was in the process of transitioning to a hover, when he decided to reduce his airspeed by 2-3 mph by adding "a little" aft cyclic. During the application of aft cyclic, the tail of the helicopter dropped, and the tail rotor blades struck a 6-inch high cement curb block, which was located at the edge of the helipad. The helicopter touched down uneventfully, and the engine was secured. The pilot additionally stated that he was too low during the landing. Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that about 2-inches had separated from each tail rotor blade. Damage was also observed to the tail boom, the vertical stabilizer, and both sides of the fuselage. The recorded weather at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident, included winds from 180 degrees at 9 knots.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's improper flare while landing, which resulted in a collision with a concrete curb.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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