Agusta A109E N7YL

Summary

On 15 May 2003 at about 12:15 local time, a Agusta A109E registered N7YL, operated by CJ Systems, was involved in an accident near Harbor Creek, Pennsylvania, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 May 2003 at 12:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Harbor Creek, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

None

Coordinates

42.0819, -80.1761

Aircraft

Agusta A109E

Registration

N7YL

Category

Helicopter

Engines

2

Operator

CJ Systems

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Harbor Creek → Erie

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC03LA110

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper preflight inspection, during which he failed to remove a flashlight from the tailboom strake. A factor was the pilot's attention be diverted by a mechanic during the preflight inspection.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During his preflight inspection of the helicopter, the pilot placed a flashlight on the tailboom strake. The pilot's attention was diverted by a mechanic and he failed to remove the flashlight prior to departure. After takeoff, the helicopter experienced a vibration and the pilot performed a precautionary landing to a field. A subsequent inspection of the helicopter revealed the flashlight had damaged the main rotor and tail rotor blades.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.