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April 26, 2016 · Eurocopter Deutschland Gmbh MBB BK 117 C-2 C2 · N145HN

Pittsburgh, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 26, 2016
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Aircraft
Eurocopter Deutschland Gmbh MBB BK 117 C-2 C2 (2009)
Tail Number
N145HN
Operator
Air Methods
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA16LA265

The accident flight, which was an on-demand air medical flight, was the second flight of the day following maintenance work that had been performed on the helicopter earlier that morning. The commercial pilot reported that the flight was uneventful but that, after landing, he noticed that the left vertical fin cowling had partially separated and contacted a tail rotor blade. Further examination of the helicopter revealed that the right vertical fin cowling remained secured but that 8 of the 11 fasteners on the left vertical fin cowling were unlocked, consistent with maintenance personnel not properly securing them following the maintenance work that was performed earlier that day.

NTSB Probable Cause

Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly secure the left vertical fin cowling during recent maintenance, which resulted in its separation and subsequent contact with the tail rotor system during flight.

Full Narrative

On April 26, 2016, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Eurocopter Deutchland GMBH MBB-BK-117 C-2, N145HN, operated by Air Methods Corp, was substantially damaged during cruise flight to West Penn Hospital Heliport (PN80), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The commercial pilot, three crewmembers and one patient were not injured. The on-demand air medical flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan was filed for the flight that originated from Grafton City Hospital Heliport (22WV), Grafton, West Virginia, about 1430.The pilot reported that the patient transfer flight was the second flight of the day, following maintenance work that was performed on the helicopter earlier that morning. The patient transfer flight was uneventful; however, after landing the pilot noticed that the left vertical fin cowling had partially separated and came in contact with a tailrotor blade. The pilot added that 8 of the 11 fasteners on the left vertical fin cowling were unlocked. Examination of the tailrotor blade by representatives from the helicopter manufacturer revealed that the tailrotor blade had sustained substantial damage. Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the Dzus fasteners on the right vertical fin cowling remained secured while the Dzus fasteners on the left vertical fin cowling were unlocked, consistent with them not being properly secured by maintenance personnel following the maintenance work that was performed. Additionally, the operator reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 EDT
Nearest AirportWest Penn Hospital Heliport (0nm N)
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEurocopter Deutschland Gmbh MBB BK 117 C-2 C2
Tail NumberN145HN
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAir Methods
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · Arriel 1E2 · Turboshaft · 665 | Turbomeca · Arriel 1E2 · Turboshaft · 665

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 16 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter29.73 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data