MINR · Eurocopter AS-350-B2 · 2004-07-01 · Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Event
NTSB number
LAX04LA254
Event ID
20040708X00933
Type
Accident
Date
2004-07-01
Location
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Coordinates
33.700553, -111.941947
Injuries
Highest injury
MINR
Fatal
0
Serious
0
Minor
2
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
2
Aircraft
Make
Eurocopter
Model
AS-350-B2
Registration
N513TS
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
Inadvertent in-flight engagement of the collective down lock, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and ground impact. The collective down lock engagement was caused by the improper installation and/or adjustment of the collective locking system, which reduced the clearance between the locking plate and the collective control. A factor was the pilot’s decision to embark on a maintenance test flight after encountering difficulty disengaging the collective lock release during previous hover tests.