Mount Clemens, MI, USA
N204TU
EUROCOPTER AS-350-B3
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.
On August 2, 2008, about 1735 eastern daylight time, a Eurocopter AS-350-B3, N204TU, operated by the United States Customs and Border Protection as a public use flight was substantially damaged during a hard landing to a platform at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base near Mount Clemons, Michigan. The flight was conducted in visual meteorological conditions and was not on a flight plan. No injuries were reported. The flight originated at 1643 from the Saint Clair County International Airport, Port Huron, Michigan. A report submitted by the operator stated that the helicpoter returned from a flight and was landed on a landing platform. 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.
The pilot's unintentional lowering of the collective control during approach to land, resulting in a hard landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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