MINR · American Eurocopter AS350-BA · 2004-11-09 · Oxnard, CA, USA
Event
NTSB number
LAX05LA020
Event ID
20041130X01889
Type
Accident
Date
2004-11-09
Location
Oxnard, CA, USA
Coordinates
34.199722, -119.218612
Injuries
Highest injury
MINR
Fatal
0
Serious
0
Minor
2
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
2
Aircraft
Make
American Eurocopter
Model
AS350-BA
Registration
N655TV
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The inadvertent in-flight engagement of the collective down lock, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and ground impact. The collective down lock engagement was likely due to a combination of the reduced clearance between the lock plate and the collective with this avionics panel design, the collective down lock alignment/adjustment, and the tendency of the flexible lock plate to vibrate with the natural harmonic rhythmus of the helicopter.