Probable cause
The instructor pilot did not maintain adequate helicopter control while maneuvering, which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The instructor pilot had completed two night training flights in the helicopter, which included rapid decelerations, autorotations (including standard, hovering, and turning), sloping ground landings, and simulated hydraulic failures. The instructor pilot reported that at no time during the flights did he experience a hard landing or ground contact with the lower fin tail guard; however, a subsequent inspection revealed damage to the tailboom and tail rotor gearbox that was consistent with a hard landing. In addition, the lower fin tail guard contained fresh ground-contact marks, which were not present prior to the training flights.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA11LA278 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 3, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Camden, South Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Woodward Field (CDN)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Aerospatiale AS350B2
- N-number
- N916AM
- Category
- Helicopter
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.