Eurocopter BK-117-A4 N911NC
7 May 2000 · Cincinnati, Ohio, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 7 May 2000 at about 03:35 local time, a Eurocopter BK-117-A4 registered N911NC was involved in an accident near Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 03:35
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- Nearest airport
- University Hospital (8OH9)
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter BK-117-A4
- Registration
- N911NC
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Cincinnati → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Night/Bright
- NTSB number
- NYC00FA127
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
the pilot's misjudgment of his closure rate, while turning to land on the rooftop helipad, which resulted in a collision with the building. Factors in the accident were the tailwind and the stuck windsock.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot stated he approached the lighted rooftop helipad from the southwest, at night, with light winds. The helipad and hangar were just ahead of him, and he initiated a right pedal turn to align the helicopter towards the south. He heard a loud bang, and the helicopter rotated uncontrollably, nose right. He lowered the collective, and the helicopter struck the landing area. Examination revealed the tail rotor blade ends were fragmented, and marks on the top corner of the hangar were similar to a tail rotor blade strike. Due to other helicopters parked on the ramp, the only approach was from the southwest. Winds were estimated to be from 220 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 15 knots. Examination of the hydraulic pump and hydraulic tail rotor actuator found no evidence of failure or malfunction. Personnel reported the windsock would occasionally get caught on its support structure, and not indicate the true nature of the wind. There was no other wind information available to the pilot.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Eurocopter BK-117 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Feb 1999 | Eurocopter BK 117 B-1 | Hockley, Texas, United States | Hermann Hospital Life Flight | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 May 2000 | Let L 33 SOLO | Waynesville, Ohio, United States | Caesar Creek Soaring Club | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jun 2000 | Piper PA-28-161 | Miamisburg, Ohio, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 1 Jul 2000 | Enstrom F28C | Ravenna, Ohio, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 14 Aug 2000 | Cessna T337E | Columbus, Ohio, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 9 Jul 2000 | Cessna 140 | Alliance, Ohio, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 11 Jul 2000 | Fairchild M-62 | Grafton, Ohio, United States | - | No injuries | - |