Eurocopter AS350B3 Ecureuil, G-BZVG, 18 October 2004
Eurocopter AS350B3 Ecureuil, G-BZVG
Summary:
An instructor and student were carrying out a simulated hydraulic failure approach and landing. The student was about to carry out a run-on landing when she experienced difficulty overcoming the control feedback forces. The instructor took control and attempted to climb the helicopter but it rolled to the left and struck the ground. No evidence of pre-impact mechanical faults was found but the issue of heavy control forces in manual flight was well understood by the helicopter manufacturer. Appropriate procedures, advice and guidance had been issued, both within the helicopter’s Flight Manual and through supplementary documents, but the pilots involved had neither followed the Flight Manual procedure accurately nor seen all the relevant supplementary guidance and information. One safety recommendation was made about the distribution of handling advice and information to pilots.
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