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NTSB Report

April 9, 1989 · Mbb BK-117A-4 · N120HH

Houston, TX

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 9, 1989
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Location
Houston, TX
Aircraft
Mbb BK-117A-4
Tail Number
N120HH
Operator
Hermann Trust
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW89FA078

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING OPERD FM A TEMPORARY LNDG ZONE (LZ) IN A PARKING LOT, WHILE THE HOSPITAL HELIPORT WAS BEING RESURFACED. AS THE PLT WAS PREPARING TO TAKEOFF AT NGT TO GET A PATIENT AT ANOTHER LCTN, HE NOTED PSNL IN THE AREA OF THE LZ & ADZD THE DISPATCHER OF THE LACK OF SECURITY. AT THAT TIME, THE WX (10 MI EAST AT HOUSTON HOBBY ARPT) WAS IN PART: 900' OVC, VIS 8 MI WITH LIGHT DRIZZLE, WIND FM 040 DEG AT 14 KTS. THE PLT BGN A VERTICAL TAKEOFF TO CLR OBSTACLES.HE RPRTD THAT AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE HELICOPTER ENCTRD TURBC & A VENTURI EFFECT FM WIND BLOWING AROUND THE BUILDINGS. ALSO,HE INDCD THAT HIS VISUAL QUES WERE REDUCED AS HE WAS WAS WATCHING FOR PEOPLE IN THE AREA OF THE LZ. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER DRIFT BACKWARD. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TAIL ROTOR CONTACTED THE TOP OF A GARAGE, THEN THE HELICOPTER BGN AN UNCTLD SPIN & CRASHED. THE PLT & BOTH MEDICAL CREW MEMBERS WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE OBSTRUCTION (GARAGE). FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS, ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, PERSONNEL IN THE AREA OF THE TEMPORARY HELIPORT, LACK OF SECURITY PROVIDED BY HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT, WHICH RESULTED IN A NECESSITY FOR THE PLT TO DIVERT HIS ATTENTION, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF VISUAL QUES.

Full Narrative

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING OPERD FM A TEMPORARY LNDG ZONE (LZ) IN A PARKING LOT, WHILE THE HOSPITAL HELIPORT WAS BEING RESURFACED. AS THE PLT WAS PREPARING TO TAKEOFF AT NGT TO GET A PATIENT AT ANOTHER LCTN, HE NOTED PSNL IN THE AREA OF THE LZ & ADZD THE DISPATCHER OF THE LACK OF SECURITY. AT THAT TIME, THE WX (10 MI EAST AT HOUSTON HOBBY ARPT) WAS IN PART: 900' OVC, VIS 8 MI WITH LIGHT DRIZZLE, WIND FM 040 DEG AT 14 KTS. THE PLT BGN A VERTICAL TAKEOFF TO CLR OBSTACLES.HE RPRTD THAT AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE HELICOPTER ENCTRD TURBC & A VENTURI EFFECT FM WIND BLOWING AROUND THE BUILDINGS. ALSO,HE INDCD THAT HIS VISUAL QUES WERE REDUCED AS HE WAS WAS WATCHING FOR PEOPLE IN THE AREA OF THE LZ. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER DRIFT BACKWARD. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TAIL ROTOR CONTACTED THE TOP OF A GARAGE, THEN THE HELICOPTER BGN AN UNCTLD SPIN & CRASHED. THE PLT & BOTH MEDICAL CREW MEMBERS WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:49 CDT
Nearest AirportHermann Hospital (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMbb BK-117A-4
Tail NumberN120HH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorHermann Trust
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · LTS 101-650B · Turboshaft · 650
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious3
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsUnknown
LightDark Night
Wind40° @ 14 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingOvercast 900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time11:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data