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NTSB Report
March 27, 1989 · Mbb BK-117-A-3 · N39187
Coinjock, NC
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 27, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Coinjock, NC
Aircraft
Mbb BK-117-A-3
Tail Number
N39187
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL89FA116
THE FLT WAS RETURNING TO HOMEBASE ALONG A NORMALLY TRAVELED ROUTE, WHEN THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A NEWLY CONSTRUCTED ANTENNA FOR A CELLULAR PHONE OPN. THIS TOWER HAD BEEN COMPLETED ON THE SAME DAY AS THE ACDNT. ACCORDING TO THE FIELD SUPERVISOR, THE LAST 100 FT SECTION OF THE 240 FT TOWER WAS COMPLETED NEAR SUNSET & THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TIME TO COMPLETE THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TO THE INSTALLED BEACON. THE SUPERVISOR FAILED TO ADVISE FLIGHT SERVICE OF THE TOWER HEIGHT & THAT THE BEACON WAS NOT IN OPN. A WRECKAGE EXAM INDICATED THAT THE HELICOPTER ROTOR SYSTEM COLLIDED WITH THE TOWER ABOUT 15 FT FROM THE TOP. ACCORDING TO ANOTHER PLT AT THE COUNTY'S FLT OPN, MOST FLTS WERE FLOWN BETWEEN 100 & 500 FT AGL.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE CELLULAR COMPANY TO PROPERLY INSTALL AN OPERATIONAL LIGHTING SYSTEM ON A NEWLY CONSTRUCTED TRANSMISSION TOWER. DARKNESS AND THE COMPANY'S FAILURE TO NOTIFY FLIGHT SERVICE OF THE UNLIGHTED TOWER WERE RELATED FACTORS.
Full Narrative
THE FLT WAS RETURNING TO HOMEBASE ALONG A NORMALLY TRAVELED ROUTE, WHEN THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A NEWLY CONSTRUCTED ANTENNA FOR A CELLULAR PHONE OPN. THIS TOWER HAD BEEN COMPLETED ON THE SAME DAY AS THE ACDNT. ACCORDING TO THE FIELD SUPERVISOR, THE LAST 100 FT SECTION OF THE 240 FT TOWER WAS COMPLETED NEAR SUNSET & THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TIME TO COMPLETE THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TO THE INSTALLED BEACON. THE SUPERVISOR FAILED TO ADVISE FLIGHT SERVICE OF THE TOWER HEIGHT & THAT THE BEACON WAS NOT IN OPN. A WRECKAGE EXAM INDICATED THAT THE HELICOPTER ROTOR SYSTEM COLLIDED WITH THE TOWER ABOUT 15 FT FROM THE TOP. ACCORDING TO ANOTHER PLT AT THE COUNTY'S FLT OPN, MOST FLTS WERE FLOWN BETWEEN 100 & 500 FT AGL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:05 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMbb BK-117-A-3
Tail NumberN39187
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · LTS-101-650 · Turboshaft · 650
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 45 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWFAC