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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 11, 1999 · Mbb BK 117 A-3 · N163BK

Sarasota, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 11, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Sarasota, FL
Aircraft
Mbb BK 117 A-3
Tail Number
N163BK
Operator
Rocky Mountain Holdings
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA99LA129

While maneuvering for takeoff the tail rotor collided with a building resulting in damage to the helicopter and building.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain a visual lookout while maneuvering in a hover resulting in the tail rotor colliding with a building.

Full Narrative

On April 11, 1999, about 1645 eastern daylight time, a MBB BK 117 A-3, N163BK, registered to and operated by Rocky Mountain Holdings, LLC, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 EMS positioning flight, collided with a building while hovering in preparation for takeoff at Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport, Sarasota, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot and two medical personnel flightcrew members were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated they were on an EMS flight to Charlotte County Airport, Punta Gorda, Florida, to pick up a patient. He and the other flightcrew members boarded the helicopter and he lifted it into a hover facing south. He called the FAA Sarasota Control Tower for departure clearance and the controller asked him to hold for landing traffic. The controller then asked if he could see the landing traffic. He moved the helicopter to the east, looking for the traffic. He then heard and felt a "thud" followed a second later by three more "thuds". It appears the helicopter had drifted back and the tail rotor had contacted the hangar. He maneuvered the helicopter away from a culvert and landed next to his original parking spot. After exiting the helicopter, he noticed the tail rotor was damaged along with the landing gear. The hangar also had a 3-foot by 3-foot hole in it.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 EDT
Nearest AirportSarasota/Bradenton (1nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMbb BK 117 A-3
Tail NumberN163BK
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRocky Mountain Holdings
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · LTS-101-650B1 · Turboshaft · 600
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 43 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data