The National Transportation Safety Board issued its preliminary report Monday for the agency’s investigation of the March 11, 2018, crash of a Liberty Helicopters AS350 B2 into the East River, New York.
Five of the six people aboard the helicopter died in the crash and the Airbus helicopter was substantially damaged when it impacted the water and subsequently rolled inverted.
The preliminary report contains no analysis and does not discuss probable cause. The information in the report is preliminary and subject to change as the NTSB’s investigation progresses.
The preliminary report summarizes the preflight activities, passenger briefing and the sequence of events leading up to the accident as described by the pilot during a post-accident interview.
The NTSB’s examination of the helicopter is detailed in the report including continuity of flight controls, continuity of drive, condition of rotor blades and the position of controls and switches. Descriptions of the engine, emergency float system, seats and restraint systems are also contained in the report.
The preliminary report is available on the NTSB website here.
