20030128002689A

Accident · Destroyed

FAA accident report · Agusta A109C · West Chicago, IL · January 28, 2003

Date: January 28, 2003 · 20:50 local
Place: West Chicago, IL
Phase of flight: To Init Climb(1st Pwr Reduct)
Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
Operator: X34A
Damage: Destroyed
Aircraft: N109MX
NTSB investigation: NTSBCHI03FA060
Reported as: Agusta A109C
People aboard: 1
Fatal injuries: 1
Pilot’s flight hours: 12,000 total8 in this make and model23 in the last 90 days

N109MXRegistration cancelled Jun 17, 2008 · Agusta A109CS/N 7604 · Built 1989 Airframe modelAgusta A109C Engine modelAllison 250-C20 seriesTurbo-prop

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

(-23) The helicopter departed dupage airfield after refueling and reported to the tower he wanted to check some instruments. After 4 to 5 minutes, the helicopter crashed into an open field without communicating with the tower while still in class d airspace. The cause of the crash is unknown.

As the FAA filed it

(-23) THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED DUPAGE AIRFIELD AFTER REFUELING AND REPORTED TO THE TOWER HE WANTED TO CHECK SOME INSTRUMENTS. AFTER 4 TO 5 MINUTES, THE HELICOPTER CRASHED INTO AN OPEN FIELD WITHOUT COMMUNICATING WITH THE TOWER WHILE STILL IN CLASS D AIRSPACE. THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH IS UNKNOWN.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB CHI03FA060Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportWest Chicago, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering, resulting in the excessive descent rate and impact with terrain. Factors to the accident included the dark night, low ceiling and reduced visibility at the time of the accident.Jan 29, 2003 · Destroyed