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December 13, 2021 · Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 · N920PD

Manhattan, NY

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 13, 2021
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Manhattan, NY
Aircraft
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 (2014)
Tail Number
N920PD
Operator
New York City Police Department
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA22LA091

The pilot reported that during landing and once established directly over the helipad, he proceeded to hover taxi over to the assigned landing location, but during touchdown the helicopter unexpectedly shifted forward, rotating onto the front skids, then began to oscillate. The crew heard a loud “bang” and subsequently the helicopter became airborne briefly before settling down hard on the pavement and the helicopter started to go into ground resonance, becoming uncontrollable. The pilot reported that the helipad was congested with several other aircraft on the ground and two preparing to land, so when the helicopter became uncontrollable, he “dumped” the collective and rolled back the throttle. During the oscillations, the main rotor blades stuck the wire strike protection system, which resulted in substantial damage to the rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilots overapplication of flight controls during landing, which resulted in the rotor blades contacting the wire strike protection system and subsequent hard landing.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that during landing and once established directly over the helipad, he proceeded to hover taxi over to the assigned landing location, but during touchdown the helicopter unexpectedly shifted forward, rotating onto the front skids, then began to oscillate. The crew heard a loud “bang” and subsequently the helicopter became airborne briefly before settling down hard on the pavement and the helicopter started to go into ground resonance, becoming uncontrollable. The pilot reported that the helipad was congested with several other aircraft on the ground and two preparing to land, so when the helicopter became uncontrollable, he “dumped” the collective and rolled back the throttle. During the oscillations, the main rotor blades stuck the wire strike protection system, which resulted in substantial damage to the rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:10 EST
Nearest AirportDowntown Manhattan/Wall St (0nm)
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell Helicopter Textron Canada 429
Tail NumberN920PD
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNew York City Police Department
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsPratt And Whitney Canada · PW207D1 · Turboshaft · 621 | Pratt And Whitney Canada · PW207D1 · Turboshaft · 621
Seats9

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 41 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 F / 18 F
Altimeter30.23 inHg
Observation Time16:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data