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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

June 21, 1992 · Mbb BK-117 · N117HH

Middletown, CT

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 21, 1992
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 fatality, 2 serious injuries), 1 unknown outcome
Location
Middletown, CT
Aircraft
Mbb BK-117
Tail Number
N117HH
Operator
Rocky Mountain Helicopters
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC92FA123

THE NORTHBOUND EMS HELICOPTER STRUCK AN UNMARKED STATIC WIRE 105 FT ABOVE THE GROUND, 1/4 MILE SOUTH OF HIS LANDING AREA. THE TAIL BOOM SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE AND THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED UNCONTROLLABLY, STRIKING THE GROUND INVERTED, FATALLY INJURING ONE OCCUPANT. WHEN INTERVIEWED AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT SAID HE DID NOT REMEMBER THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES SAID THE NIGHT WAS DARK WITH FOG BEGINNING TO FORM, AND NO ABRUPT MANEUVERS WERE OBSERVED PRIOR TO THE WIRE STRIKE. THE INVESTIGATION FOUND THE PILOT HAD NOT MADE A RECON OF THE AREA, NOR HAD HE COMMUNICATED THAT HE HAD IDENTIFIED THE LANDING AREA WHEN THE WIRE STRIKE OCCURRED. THERE WERE NUMEROUS EMERGENCY VEHICLES IN THE AREA WITH RED AND BLUE FLASHING LIGHTS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. ADDITIONALLY, NEITHER THE PILOT OR HOSPITAL COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR WHO TOOK THE REQUEST FOR THE HELICOPTER, HAD REQUESTED ANY HAZARD INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED LANDING AREA.

NTSB Probable Cause

A WIRE STRIKE AFTER THE PILOT MADE A DECISION TO CONTINUE THE APPROACH INTO AN AREA OF HAZARDS. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT AND THE HOSPITAL COMMUNICATOR TO REQUEST ALL AVAILABLE INFORMATION ABOUT THE LANDING AREA AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.

Full Narrative

THE NORTHBOUND EMS HELICOPTER STRUCK AN UNMARKED STATIC WIRE 105 FT ABOVE THE GROUND, 1/4 MILE SOUTH OF HIS LANDING AREA. THE TAIL BOOM SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE AND THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED UNCONTROLLABLY, STRIKING THE GROUND INVERTED, FATALLY INJURING ONE OCCUPANT. WHEN INTERVIEWED AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT SAID HE DID NOT REMEMBER THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES SAID THE NIGHT WAS DARK WITH FOG BEGINNING TO FORM, AND NO ABRUPT MANEUVERS WERE OBSERVED PRIOR TO THE WIRE STRIKE. THE INVESTIGATION FOUND THE PILOT HAD NOT MADE A RECON OF THE AREA, NOR HAD HE COMMUNICATED THAT HE HAD IDENTIFIED THE LANDING AREA WHEN THE WIRE STRIKE OCCURRED. THERE WERE NUMEROUS EMERGENCY VEHICLES IN THE AREA WITH RED AND BLUE FLASHING LIGHTS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. ADDITIONALLY, NEITHER THE PILOT OR HOSPITAL COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR WHO TOOK THE REQUEST FOR THE HELICOPTER, HAD REQUESTED ANY HAZARD INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED LANDING AREA.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:33 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMbb BK-117
Tail NumberN117HH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRocky Mountain Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · LTS-101-650B1 · Turboshaft · 650
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (1 fatality, 2 serious injuries), 1 unknown outcome
Fatal1
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility4 sm
CeilingOvercast 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data