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| Date: | Tuesday 16 October 2012 |
| Time: | 13:13 LT |
| Type: |  Aérospatiale AS 350B2 Ecureuil |
| Owner/operator: | PDG Helicopters |
| Registration: | G-BXGA |
| MSN: | 2493 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1991 |
| Engine model: | Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Minor |
| Location: | 1.5 miles S of Kettlewell, Upper Wharfedale, North Yorkshire -
 United Kingdom
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | External load operation |
| Departure airport: | Kettlewell, North Yorkshire |
| Investigating agency: | AAIB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The helicopter was approaching a field site, with an empty chain lifting sling suspended below. During the approach, the sling struck the tail rotor blades, producing a loud bang and a high frequency vibration. Cockpit indications were normal, and the pilot continued to a minimum power landing. The helicopter operator introduced a number of safety actions as a result of this and a similar, earlier accident.
The helicopter sustained minor damages. The pilot landed safely and escaped uninjured.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
http://www.bea.aero/fr/enquetes/2012/2012.semaine.49.pdf
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5422eefe40f0b6134200020f/AS350B2_Ecureuil_G-BXGA_02-13.pdf
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 14-Dec-2012 13:22 | Alpine Flight | Added |
| 09-Jun-2013 23:39 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Location, Destination airport, Source, Embed code, Narrative, ] |
| 18-Sep-2015 18:01 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Time, Location, Departure airport, ] |
| 18-Sep-2015 18:04 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Operator, ] |
| 25-Sep-2016 14:33 | Aerossurance | Updated [Time, Operator, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, ] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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