Accident to the helicopter AS 350 registered 9M-APL operated by Aerial Powerlines on 18/11/2016 at Kelantan [Investigation led by BSKU / Malaysia]

Preliminary data based on the notification from the Malaysian authorities:

Aircraft 9M-APL was approaching to land into wind direction (west) of SK Batu Melintang football field for another passengers pick-up to operation area (LP 2J). Due to aircraft facing direct sunlight, pilot intended to turn 180 degrees. However, during turning left, aircraft suddenly swift severely to the left due to gusting wind. As a result, aircraft tail rotor hit the ground and tail rotor assembly broken and flew off. Pilot managed to land the aircraft facing east safely without any other incident.

Loading map...

General information
Local date	18/11/2016
Responsible entity	Malaysia - AIB
State or area of occurrence	Malaysia
Location	Kelantan
Human consequences	None
Aircraft consequences	Substantial
Occurrence class	Accident
File number	BEA2016-0758

Flight Information
Aircraft category	Helicopter - Small helicopter
Operator	Malaysia (Aerial Power lines SDN. BHD.)
Manufacturer / Model	AEROSPATIALE - AS350
Aircraft Registration	9M-APL
State of registry	Malaysia
Last departure point	Malaysia (SK BATU MAELINTANG, JELI)
Planned destination	Malaysia (SK BATU MAELINTANG, JELI)
Flight phase	Landing
Serial number	7892
Operator Type AG	Private owner
Operation Type	Non-Commercial Operations

BEA is the French air safety investigation authority for civil aviation. The sole objective of the investigation is to improve air safety. It is intended neither to apportion blame nor to assess responsiblity.