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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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August 5, 2012 · Bell 407 · N429PH

San Antonio, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
August 5, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
San Antonio, TX
Aircraft
Bell 407
Tail Number
N429PH
Operator
Phi
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
CEN12IA518

The helicopter was on a visual descent at night to a hospital helipad when its left skid struck a tower guy wire, which resulted in a portion of the left skid separating from the helicopter. The pilot declared an emergency and diverted to a nearby airport. The operator reported no preincident malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On August 5, 2012, at 0331 central daylight time, a Bell 407 helicopter, N429PH, sustained minor damage when it contacted a tower guy wire while it was on approach to the helipad at the San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC), San Antonio, Texas. The pilot, flight nurse, flight paramedic, and patient were not injured. The emergency medical services EMS helicopter was registered to and operated by PHI, Inc., under the provisions of the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was on a company visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan. The flight departed from the College Station Medical Center, College Station, Texas, at 0302. The operator reported that the helicopter was on a visual descent to the SAMMC helipad when the helicopter's left skid contacted a tower guy wire, located northeast of the helipad, which resulted in a portion of the left skid separating from the helicopter. The pilot declared an emergency and diverted to the San Antonio International Airport (SAT), San Antonio, Texas. The operator reported that there was no malfunction or system failure of the helicopter before the incident.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time03:31 CDT
Nearest AirportSan Antonio Military Medical (1nm ENE)
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 407
Tail NumberN429PH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageMinor
OperatorPhi
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls-Royc · 250-C47B · Turboshaft · 710
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 52 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind160° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter0
Observation Time06:53

Appendix: Source Data