Eurocopter AS-350BA accident near Goshen, New York, May 29, 2006
On May 29, 2006 at about 7:00 pm local time, a Eurocopter AS-350BA (helicopter), registered CGGLM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Goshen, New York. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Improper maintenance of the hydraulic pump/coupling, which resulted in a failure of the hydraulic flight control system. Factors included the substandard materials of the hydraulic pump drive shaft and coupling, and the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during the landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 29, 2006 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Goshen, New York · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter AS-350BA · all AS-350BAs on the register
- Registration
- CGGLM · no longer on the register · serial 1306
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
About 45 minutes into a cross-country flight, the helicopter experienced a hydraulic system failure. The pilot subsequently elected to perform a precautionary landing in a field. During the landing attempt, the pilot slowed the helicopter and it began to yaw left. The pilot attempted to correct the yaw, but was unable to overcome the "stiffness" of the right anti-torque pedal. The helicopter continued to yaw left, landed "hard," and rolled over. Examination of the helicopter's hydraulic system revealed that the hydraulic pump drive shaft splines and the attaching drive coupling splines were severely worn, to the point that they could no longer drive the hydraulic pump. Metallurgical hardness testing of both the drive shaft and the coupling revealed that the surfaces of the splines were below the manufacturer's specified hardness. Examination of the grease found trapped between the remaining portions of the hydraulic shaft pump splines revealed that it was hard packed and gray colored, suggesting that it had been in place for a significant period of time. The minimal amount of grease observed in the coupling sleeve did not satisfy the "generously filled" description referred to in the manufacturer's service bulletin, and required by a subsequent airworthiness directive. Examination of the helicopter's maintenance records revealed that since the issuance of the airworthiness directive, the helicopter had not been in compliance with either the calendar or flight time requirements. The helicopter's flight manual cautioned pilots operating the helicopter without hydraulic assistance, "Do not attempt to carry out hover flight or any low speed maneuver. The intensity and direction of the control feedback forces will change rapidly. This will result in excessive pilot workload, poor aircraft control, and possible loss of control."
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,355 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,783 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 1, 2005; 31 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,630 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Honeywell LTS 101 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 19N Camden NJ
- Destination: Glen Falls NY
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Wind: from 250° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 2:45 pm from SWF
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
Other NTSB records under CGGLM the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.