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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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March 11, 2018 · American Eurocopter AS350B2 · N350LH

New York, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 11, 2018
Injury Outcomes
6 injuries (5 fatalities, 1 minor injury)
Location
New York, NY
Aircraft
American Eurocopter AS350B2 (2013)
Tail Number
N350LH
Operator
Liberty Helicopters
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA18MA099

The Safety Board's full report is available at http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Pages/aviation.aspx. The Aircraft Accident Report number is NTSB/AAR-19/04. On March 11, 2018, about 1908 eastern daylight time, an Airbus Helicopters AS350 B2, N350LH, lost engine power during cruise flight, and the pilot performed an autorotative descent and ditching on the East River in New York, New York. The pilot sustained minor injuries, the five passengers drowned, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. The FlyNYON-branded flight was operated by Liberty Helicopters Inc. (Liberty), per a contractual agreement with NYONair; both companies considered the flight to be an aerial photography flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. (During this accident investigation, the Federal Aviation Administration determined that Liberty operated the flight as a nonstop commercial air tour under 14 CFR Part 91.) Visual flight rules weather conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the intended 30-minute local flight, which departed from Helo Kearny Heliport, Kearny, New Jersey, about 1850.

NTSB Probable Cause

Liberty Helicopters Inc.'s use of a NYONair-provided passenger harness/tether system, which caught on and activated the floor-mounted engine fuel shutoff lever and resulted in the in-flight loss of engine power and the subsequent ditching. Contributing to this accident were (1) Liberty's and NYONair's deficient safety management, which did not adequately mitigate foreseeable risks associated with the harness/tether system interfering with the floor-mounted controls and hindering passenger egress; (2) Liberty allowing NYONair to influence the operational control of Liberty's FlyNYON flights; and (3) the Federal Aviation Administration's inadequate oversight of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 revenue passenger-carrying operations. Contributing to the severity of the accident were (1) the rapid capsizing of the helicopter due to partial inflation of the emergency flotation system and (2) Liberty and NYONair's use of the harness/tether system that hindered passenger egress.

Full Narrative

The Safety Board's full report is available at http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Pages/aviation.aspx. The Aircraft Accident Report number is NTSB/AAR-19/04. On March 11, 2018, about 1908 eastern daylight time, an Airbus Helicopters AS350 B2, N350LH, lost engine power during cruise flight, and the pilot performed an autorotative descent and ditching on the East River in New York, New York. The pilot sustained minor injuries, the five passengers drowned, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. The FlyNYON-branded flight was operated by Liberty Helicopters Inc. (Liberty), per a contractual agreement with NYONair; both companies considered the flight to be an aerial photography flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. (During this accident investigation, the Federal Aviation Administration determined that Liberty operated the flight as a nonstop commercial air tour under 14 CFR Part 91.) Visual flight rules weather conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the intended 30-minute local flight, which departed from Helo Kearny Heliport, Kearny, New Jersey, about 1850.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:08 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAmerican Eurocopter AS350B2
Tail NumberN350LH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLiberty Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsTurbomeca · Arriel 1D1 · Turboshaft · 712
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary6 injuries (5 fatalities, 1 minor injury)
Fatal5
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total6
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class · Minor
Crew 2Age 26 · Fatal
Crew 3Age 29 · Fatal
Crew 4Age 26 · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind330° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 21 C
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time23:14
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data