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NTSB Identification: CEN12TA004
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, October 04, 2011 in McAllen, TX
Aircraft: EUROCOPTER EC120B, registration: N3925A
Injuries: 2 Minor.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On October 4, 2011, approximately 1250 central daylight time, N3925A, a Eurocopter EC120B, sustained substantial damage while making a run-on landing to a grass field 10 miles east of McAllen Miller International Airport (MFE), McAllen, Texas. The pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was registered to and operated by the Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Public Use flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

http://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief ... 1005X91033


The pilot and the border patrol agent had been dispatched to provide aerial support for an on-going border patrol mission. When the pilot realized there would be a delay in time for when they needed to engage in the mission he decided to land in a grass field and sit idle (to conserve fuel) until their assistance was needed. He said he made a run-on landing to avoid creating a brown-out condition. However, as the helicopter touched down and moved forward (approximately 34 feet) it nosed over and the main rotor blades struck the ground. The helicopter subsequently nosed over and traveled another 34 feet before it came to rest on its right side.

Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed the and fenestron were substantially damaged. The skids, along with the main and tail rotor blades were also damaged.

The pilot reported there were no mechanical problems prior to the accident.


Weather at McAllen Airport, at 1253, was reported as wind variable at 6 knots, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds 5,500 feet, temperature 30 degrees Celsius, dewpoint 13 degrees Celsius, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.13 inches Hg.
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