MBB BK-117A-4 N120HH

Summary

On 9 April 1989 at about 11:49 local time, a MBB BK-117A-4 registered N120HH, operated by Hermann Trust, was involved in an accident near Houston, Texas, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 April 1989 at 11:49

Classification

Accident

Location

Houston, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Hermann Hospital

Coordinates

29.7100, -95.3995

Aircraft

MBB BK-117A-4

Registration

N120HH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

2

Operator

Hermann Trust

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Channelview

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

Unk

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

FTW89FA078

3 people were seriously injured.

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE OBSTRUCTION (GARAGE). FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS, ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, PERSONNEL IN THE AREA OF THE TEMPORARY HELIPORT, LACK OF SECURITY PROVIDED BY HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT, WHICH RESULTED IN A NECESSITY FOR THE PLT TO DIVERT HIS ATTENTION, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF VISUAL QUES.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING OPERD FM A TEMPORARY LNDG ZONE (LZ) IN A PARKING LOT, WHILE THE HOSPITAL HELIPORT WAS BEING RESURFACED. AS THE PLT WAS PREPARING TO TAKEOFF AT NGT TO GET A PATIENT AT ANOTHER LCTN, HE NOTED PSNL IN THE AREA OF THE LZ & ADZD THE DISPATCHER OF THE LACK OF SECURITY. AT THAT TIME, THE WX (10 MI EAST AT HOUSTON HOBBY ARPT) WAS IN PART: 900' OVC, VIS 8 MI WITH LIGHT DRIZZLE, WIND FM 040 DEG AT 14 KTS. THE PLT BGN A VERTICAL TAKEOFF TO CLR OBSTACLES.HE RPRTD THAT AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE HELICOPTER ENCTRD TURBC & A VENTURI EFFECT FM WIND BLOWING AROUND THE BUILDINGS. ALSO,HE INDCD THAT HIS VISUAL QUES WERE REDUCED AS HE WAS WAS WATCHING FOR PEOPLE IN THE AREA OF THE LZ. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER DRIFT BACKWARD. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TAIL ROTOR CONTACTED THE TOP OF A GARAGE, THEN THE HELICOPTER BGN AN UNCTLD SPIN & CRASHED. THE PLT & BOTH MEDICAL CREW MEMBERS WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.