Eurocopter AS-350-B3 accident near Mount Clemens, Michigan, August 2, 2008
On August 2, 2008 at about 9:35 pm local time, a Eurocopter AS-350-B3 (helicopter), registered N204TU, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Mount Clemens, Michigan (Selfridge Air National Guard B airport). It was a public-use flight (federal) under public-use (government) rules. No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's unintentional lowering of the collective control during approach to land, resulting in a hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 2, 2008 · about 9:35 pm local time
- Place
- Mount Clemens, Michigan · Selfridge Air National Guard B · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter AS-350-B3 · all AS-350-B3s on the register
- Registration
- N204TU · no longer on the register · serial 4413
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight (federal) · public-use (government) rules
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The operator reported that the helicopter had landed on the landing platform when, after shutdown, it was discovered that the helicopter was positioned too far aft on the platform. The pilot then restarted the helicopter and lifted off to reposition the helicopter on the platform. During this second approach to the platform, the pilot removed his hand from the collective control to turn off an audio radio. When the pilot returned his hand to the collective, he inadvertently lowered the collective and the helicopter descended and struck the ground.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Hard landing during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Rotorcraft flight control › Main rotor control › Unintentional use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,549 hours in all; 62 in this make and model; 1,957 as pilot in command; 156 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 28, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 95 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 10, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 5,224 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Turbomeca Aerial 2B1 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PHN Port Huron MI at 8:43 pm
- Destination: MTC Mount Clemens MI
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 7 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 9:00 pm from MTC
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.