Agusta A109E N143CF

Summary

On 4 September 2003 at about 00:59 local time, a Agusta A109E registered N143CF was involved in an accident near Dallas, Texas, United States. 3 people were on board and one 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

4 September 2003 at 00:59

Classification

Accident

Location

Dallas, Texas, United States

Coordinates

32.6833, -96.8692

Aircraft

Agusta A109E

Registration

N143CF

Category

Helicopter

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Dallas → Crowley

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

FTW03FA211

1 person had minor injuries.

The reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the failure to maintain clearance with the safety fence during the aborted takeoff, which resulted in a dynamic rollover of the helicopter.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During departure from a rooftop helipad, the pilot reported the helicopter sustained a loss of engine power and he aborted the takeoff. During the aborted takeoff, a main landing gear struck a safety fence, the main rotor blades contacted the helipad, the helicopter rolled over and came to rest on the helipad. According to the pilot and medical crew, the engine start-up and before takeoff checks were normal. While in a 3 to 4-foot hover above the helipad, the pilot verified the engine and systems prior to departure. As the helicopter transitioned over the edge of the rooftop, the engine warning horn sounded and warning and caution lights illuminated. The medical crew reported the engine and rotor noise suddenly decreased, and noticed a slight drop in altitude. After the helicopter came to rest, the engines were still running at an unknown power level, and the pilot and medical crew shutdown the engines. No anomalies were noted during the functional tests and examinations of the engines and helicopter systems. The reason for the reported loss of engine power was not determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.