Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstructions while landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The helicopter drifted aft while the pilot was hover taxiing into position for landing and the tail rotor struck a chain link fence, damaging the tail rotor and tail boom. Following the tail rotor strike, the pilot hovered the helicopter forward and landed.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 20, 2004, at 1800 Pacific daylight time, an Eurocopter AS350 B3, N216HP, collided with a chain link fence while hover landing at Livermore Municipal Airport, Livermore, California. The California Highway Patrol was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and single crewmember were not injured, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The public-use flight originated at Sacramento Executive Airport, Sacramento, California, at 1725. The pilot told the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he was hover taxiing into position for landing at the Livermore north ramp, G area. While executing the landing maneuver the helicopter drifted aft and the tail rotor struck a chain link fence, damaging the tail rotor and tail boom. The pilot hovered the helicopter forward and landed.