Narrative:

I was informed by our company flight follower on duty; that one of our aircraft had a problem in flight. I ordered the initiation of our emergency response plan. The pilot reported to another company helicopter that he heard a bang and extensive vibrations occurred. The other company aircraft in trail flew next to the helicopter and determined that the left engine cowling had not been latched and was flapping into the main rotor system. The pilot made the decision to land off airport in a desert area about eight miles northeast of ZZZ. The other company helicopter circled above and relayed to operations that the aircraft landed safely. As director of operations; I was satisfied that this flight had terminated safely without further incident. Another company aircraft was dispatched to pick up the passengers from the desert area. On board the helicopter was a mechanic to assess the damage and to make note of parts needing replacement and tools required. Other arrangements were being made to transport myself (director of operations); our director of maintenance and company ceo to the site for assessment. Over our company frequency; I heard the damaged helicopter report that he was in flight and on his way back to ZZZ1. This flight was unauthorized by me. No other person with operational control in the company authorized this flight. Upon discovery of this flight. I gave the pilot strict orders; through a flight follower in radio contact; to terminate the flight immediately and to put the aircraft on the ground. He flew the aircraft from the desert area to the ZZZ airport. The pilot did not conduct a proper preflight ensuring that the latches were secure. He conducted an unauthorized flight in a damaged aircraft which I did not consider airworthy with the information provided to me at the time. The mechanic simply removed the engine cowling and considered the aircraft airworthy. He was a passenger aboard the flight from the desert area to ZZZ.

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: AS350 tour pilot reports engine cowling opened in flight striking the main rotor system. A precautionary landing was made and the passengers transferred to another helicopter; before flying the aircraft to a nearby airport after examination by a mechanic who also reported about the blade damage.

Narrative: I was informed by our company flight follower on duty; that one of our aircraft had a problem in flight. I ordered the initiation of our Emergency Response Plan. The pilot reported to another company helicopter that he heard a bang and extensive vibrations occurred. The other company aircraft in trail flew next to the helicopter and determined that the left engine cowling had not been latched and was flapping into the main rotor system. The pilot made the decision to land off airport in a desert area about eight miles Northeast of ZZZ. The other company helicopter circled above and relayed to operations that the aircraft landed safely. As Director of Operations; I was satisfied that this flight had terminated safely without further incident. Another company aircraft was dispatched to pick up the passengers from the desert area. On board the helicopter was a mechanic to assess the damage and to make note of parts needing replacement and tools required. Other arrangements were being made to transport myself (Director of Operations); our Director of Maintenance and company CEO to the site for assessment. Over our company frequency; I heard the damaged helicopter report that he was in flight and on his way back to ZZZ1. This flight was unauthorized by me. No other person with operational control in the company authorized this flight. Upon discovery of this flight. I gave the pilot strict orders; through a flight follower in radio contact; to terminate the flight immediately and to put the aircraft on the ground. He flew the aircraft from the desert area to the ZZZ airport. The pilot did not conduct a proper preflight ensuring that the latches were secure. He conducted an unauthorized flight in a damaged aircraft which I did not consider airworthy with the information provided to me at the time. The mechanic simply removed the engine cowling and considered the aircraft airworthy. He was a passenger aboard the flight from the desert area to ZZZ.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.