Probable cause
The failure of the starflex arm during engine run-up due to inadequate inspection by maintenance personnel.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that after engine start, the helicopter shook violently as the throttle was advanced to flight rpm. He conducted an emergency shutdown, inspected the helicopter, and discovered that the tail rotor boom was buckled. Further inspection revealed that the main rotor starflex arm was broken. According to the director of maintenance, the starflex arm was overlooked during a conformity inspection. As a result, it was overflown by 586 hours. A review of a manufacturer service bulletin revealed that the service life on the starflex arm was 2,200 hours. At the time of the accident, the total time on the starflex arm was 2,786 hours. Due to the operator's record keeping process, the complex component life limit historical records were overlooked.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for MIA08LA106 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 21, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hiram, Georgia
- Nearest airport
- Caffery Heliport (00GE)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Eurocopter France AS350 B2
- N-number
- N417AE
- Category
- Helicopter
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
Other records under this N-number
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.