MBB BO-105C N105SJ

Summary

On 20 June 2003 at about 19:46 local time, a MBB BO-105C registered N105SJ was involved in an accident near Buffalo, New York, United States. 3 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 June 2003 at 19:46

Classification

Accident

Location

Buffalo, New York, United States

Nearest airport

Heussler Hamburg Heliport (O01)

Coordinates

42.7892, -78.8417

Aircraft

MBB BO-105C

Registration

N105SJ

Category

Helicopter

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Buffalo → Colden

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC03LA133

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's improper interpretation of a descent as a power loss and subsequent decision to autorotate, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor in the accident was the collective friction.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot departed with his crew for a medical pickup flight in a helicopter. Passing through about 200 to 300 feet, the pilot perceived a power loss. The paramedic seated in the left seat reported that he called the pilot's attention to the collective as the helicopter descended and the pilot grabbed the collective. The paramedic reported that the descent stopped abruptly, and then continued as the pilot lowered the collective. The pilot reported that although there were no indications of an engine problem and the needles were not split, he sensed that the engines were not responding to the movement of the collective, and he lowered the collective to set up for an autorotation. The helicopter struck the ground, and slid for a short distance. It then became airborne, as it passed through a gate in a fence, the tail rotor struck the right side of the fence and the tail rotor and tail boom separated from the helicopter. The helicopter continued in the air for about 200 feet, spinning as it traveled forward. Ground impact marks consistent with main rotor impact were found about 200 feet from where the tail rotor separated from the helicopter. The helicopter came to rest about 50 feet beyond the main rotor blade marks. Examination of the helicopter revealed damage consistent with the engines operating at impact. No evidence of any malfunctions were found with the engines or airframe. Fuel was found in both engines. In addition, the collective friction was loose, and the last pilot to fly the helicopter before the accident flight reported he left the collective friction loose. In a follow-up interview, the pilot reported he had not checked the collective friction prior to takeoff, but thought it was OK. He had no direct memory of taking his hand off the collective, but the paramedic reported that the position of the pilot's arm was consistent with his hand being off the collective. When questioned if he had misinterpreted a lowering collective for a power loss, the pilot replied, "I can't say I didn't, maybe I did."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.