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July 4, 2020 · Mbb BK117 C2 · N263MH

Wooster, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 4, 2020
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Wooster, OH
Aircraft
Mbb BK117 C2 (2009)
Tail Number
N263MH
Operator
Metrohealth System
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN20LA264

During departure from a portable dolly, the helicopter crew flew over an area where silt construction fencing was installed. While the helicopter flew about 10 ft above ground level and over the fence, the fence became unsecured and blew up and into the main rotor system. The crew then performed a forced landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, tailboom, and tail rotor blades. Although the crew was aware of the fence, they did not believe it would be a factor during the departure because they had previously flown over it with no issues.

NTSB Probable Cause

The entanglement of construction fencing into the main rotor system, which necessitated a forced landing that resulted in substantial damage to the helicopter.

Full Narrative

On July 4, 2020, about 1357 eastern daylight time (EDT), an Airbus Helicopter BK117, N263MH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Wayne County Airport (KBJJ), Wooster, Ohio. The two commercial pilots sustained no injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 helicopter air ambulance flight. Surveillance video showed that after lifting off a portable dolly, the helicopter turned right and briefly hovered. As the helicopter began to take off following the hover, it traversed a grassy area adjacent to the ramp about 10 ft above ground level, where a silt construction fence was obscured by tall grass. As the helicopter overflew, the fence became unsecured and blew up and into the main and tail rotor system. The crew then performed a forced landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, tailboom, and tail rotor blades. At the time of the accident, there were no notices to air missions for the construction fence, and the presence of the fence was not contained within any publications or notices available to pilots. According to the pilots, the construction in the area of the fencing had started about 2 months prior to the accident and that coincided with the installation of the fence. One of the pilots stated that he had inspected the fence himself and remembered the bottom being buried in the ground about 4 to 6 inches and attached to wooden stakes with staples and nails. He said, regarding the silt fence, that he “never imagined it would come out at that altitude.” The second pilot stated that he had flown over it so many times, he did not take notice of it as a factor.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:57 EDT
Nearest AirportWayne County (0nm ESE)
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMbb BK117 C2
Tail NumberN263MH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMetrohealth System
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsSafran · Arriel 1E2 · Turboshaft · 739 | Safran · Arriel 1E2 · Turboshaft · 739
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 56 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 41 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time12:56
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data