Aerospatiale AS355F1 N406LH
22 March 2008 · New York, New York, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 22 March 2008 at about 15:10 local time, a Aerospatiale AS355F1 registered N406LH, operated by Liberty Helicopters, was involved in an incident near New York, New York, United States. 5 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 15:10
- Classification
- Incident
- Location
- New York, New York, United States
- Nearest airport
- West 30th St. Heliport (JRA)
- Coordinates
- 40.7575, -74.0125
- Aircraft
- Aerospatiale AS355F1
- Registration
- N406LH
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Liberty Helicopters
- Operating rule
- Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- New York → New York
- Aircraft damage
- Minor
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- NYC08IA145
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the other helicopter due to his focus on the engine instruments during the initial departure. Contributing to the accident was insufficient helipad spacing.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot initiated a takeoff to a hover from the helipad while another helicopter was running at a low rotor rpm on an adjacent helipad. He turned his attention to the engine instruments in the cockpit and initiated a left turn in preparation for departure. The tail skid of his helicopter then struck the rotor of the other helicopter. The pilot landed his helicopter back on the helipad and shut the engines down. The pilot had approximately 10 hours experience in the accident helicopter make and model, which was the twin-engine version of the single-engine helicopter in which he was significantly more experienced. Examination of the heliport revealed helipad spacing substantially less than that advised by Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular 150/5390-2B, Heliport Design.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Aerospatiale AS355F1 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Jun 2003 | Aerospatiale AS355F1 | Madison, Florida, United States | C J Systems Aviation Group | Minor injuries | - |
| 8 Oct 2001 | Aerospatiale AS355F1 | Rosebud, Texas, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 29 Oct 1991 | Aerospatiale AS355F1 | Billings, Montana, United States | Omni Flight Helicopters, Inc | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Mar 2008 | Robinson R44 | Montgomery, New York, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 28 Apr 2008 | Cessna 172F | White Plains, New York, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 5 Jul 2008 | Cessna C-195 | Johnstown, New York, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 21 Dec 2008 | Cessna 172 | Corning, New York, United States | Costa Flying Services | No injuries | - |
| 16 Oct 2008 | Sikorsky S-76C | New York, New York, United States | Bristol-Myers Squibb Company | No injuries | - |
| 15 Jan 2008 | Robinson R44 II | Fenner, New York, United States | Adkins Aviation | Minor injuries | - |