Following a flight from Loughrea in Co. Galway and while flying along Taxiway Delta 1 enroute to the Light Aircraft Parking area at Shannon Airport (EINN), control of the Eurocopter EC 155 B helicopter was lost when an attempt was made to flare the helicopter and transition from forward flight to a hover. The helicopter impacted the taxiway surface with significant downward force and forward momentum. It sustained substantial damage but remained upright and continued along the taxiway before coming to a stop at the airport’s east apron. There was no fire, and no injuries were reported.
The Investigation determined that the probable cause of the occurrence was loss of control in flight during transition from forward flight to hover due to the collective pitch lever movement being restricted by a portable power bank device which was unsecured in the cockpit. Three Safety Recommendations are made as a result of this Investigation.
