Probable cause
The pilot's misjudged speed and altitude, which resulted in an undershoot of the landing zone.
NTSB analysis
The helicopter pilot said that he thought that the approach to the helipad seemed and felt normal, but in retrospect was flat. A witness thought that the approach was flat and fast. He indicated that the helicopter was in a nose-high attitude when the tail rotor hit the ground between rocks at the waterline and the edge of the pad. The pilot felt a jolt followed by a shutter. Because of the tail rotor damage, the helicopter yawed out of control to the left. It rotated 360 degrees as the pilot lowered the collective. Once completely on the ground, he pulled the fuel flow control lever out of the flight gate, pulled the emergency fuel shutoff control, and powered everything down while applying the main rotor brake.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09CA148 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 8, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Long Beach, California
- Nearest airport
- Queensway Heliport (None)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Eurocopter AS350BA
- N-number
- N234AH
- Category
- Helicopter
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
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.