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NTSB Report
April 25, 1982 · Bell 206L · N16696
New York, NY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 25, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 4 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome
Location
New York, NY
Aircraft
Bell 206L
Tail Number
N16696
Operator
Island Helicopter
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC82FHJ04
THE ACCIDENT INVOLVED TWO BELL 206L HELICOPTERS THAT WERE PARKED BESIDE ONE ANOTHER, BUT HEADED IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. BEFORE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED, ONE OF THE HELICOPTERS, N16696, WAS OPERATING WITH THE ROTORS AT ABOUT 60% RPM (FLIGHT IDLE) WHILE PASSENGERS WERE BEING LOADED. MEANWHILE, THE PILOT OF THE OTHER HELICOPTER, N49575, ARRIVED, UNTIED THE ROTOR, AND STARTED THE ENGINE. WHEN N49575 WAS STARTED, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES OF THE TWO HELICOPTERS COLLIDED. A PASSENGER THAT WAS BEING BOARDED ON N16696 AND A RAMP ATTENDANT WERE INJURED BY FLYING DEBRIS.
Full Narrative
THE ACCIDENT INVOLVED TWO BELL 206L HELICOPTERS THAT WERE PARKED BESIDE ONE ANOTHER, BUT HEADED IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. BEFORE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED, ONE OF THE HELICOPTERS, N16696, WAS OPERATING WITH THE ROTORS AT ABOUT 60% RPM (FLIGHT IDLE) WHILE PASSENGERS WERE BEING LOADED. MEANWHILE, THE PILOT OF THE OTHER HELICOPTER, N49575, ARRIVED, UNTIED THE ROTOR, AND STARTED THE ENGINE. WHEN N49575 WAS STARTED, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES OF THE TWO HELICOPTERS COLLIDED. A PASSENGER THAT WAS BEING BOARDED ON N16696 AND A RAMP ATTENDANT WERE INJURED BY FLYING DEBRIS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:05 EDT
Nearest Airport34Th Heliport (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206L
Tail NumberN16696
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorIsland Helicopter
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250 · Turboshaft · 400 | Allison · 250 · Turboshaft · 400
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 4 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured4
Total6
Crew 1Age 38 · First Class
Crew 2Age 25 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 5 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point12 C / 0 C
Altimeter0