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NTSB Report
February 10, 1990 · Bell 206L · N16664
New York City, NY
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 10, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality), 4 uninjured
Location
New York City, NY
Aircraft
Bell 206L
Tail Number
N16664
Operator
Island Helicopter
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC90FA067
THE HELICOPTER LIFTED OFF THE HELIPAD AND MADE A LEFT PEDAL TURN. THE PILOT SAID HE CHECKED THE WIND AND THOUGHT THE WIND WAS FROM THE SOUTHWEST, MEANING HE COULD BE TAKING OFF IN A CROSSWIND, WHEN IT FACT HE TOOK OFF IN A TAIL WIND CONDITION. AS THE HELICOPTER REACHED THE END OF THE HELIPORT PLATFORM AND WAS FLYING SLOW OVER WATER THE HELICOPTER SETTLED IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE PILOT COULD NOT STOP THE DESCENT AND THE HELICOPTER WENT INTO THE RIVER.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE WIND RESULTING IN A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF. ADDITIONALLY THE LOSS OF LIFT WHEN THE HELICOPTER FLEW OFF THE HELIPORT PLATFORM, PRIOR TO REACHING EFFECTIVE TRANSLATIONAL LIFT, RESULTED IN THE HELICOPTER SETTLING INTO THE WATER.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER LIFTED OFF THE HELIPAD AND MADE A LEFT PEDAL TURN. THE PILOT SAID HE CHECKED THE WIND AND THOUGHT THE WIND WAS FROM THE SOUTHWEST, MEANING HE COULD BE TAKING OFF IN A CROSSWIND, WHEN IT FACT HE TOOK OFF IN A TAIL WIND CONDITION. AS THE HELICOPTER REACHED THE END OF THE HELIPORT PLATFORM AND WAS FLYING SLOW OVER WATER THE HELICOPTER SETTLED IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE PILOT COULD NOT STOP THE DESCENT AND THE HELICOPTER WENT INTO THE RIVER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:19 EST
Nearest Airport34Th St. Heliport (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206L
Tail NumberN16664
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorIsland Helicopter
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality), 4 uninjured
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total5
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind17 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO