# Accident 20051007027709A: Agusta A109E, Smethport, PA, October 7, 2005

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 7, 2005, 23:42 local time
- Place: Smethport, PA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Final Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: BAQA
- Location: 41.7547° N, 78.5539° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7547&lon=-78.5539&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7YL, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7YL-2013-05-10) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Agusta A109E (registry code 0260101, https://openairdocs.org/model/agusta-a109e) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Turbomeca ARRIUS-2K1 (registry code 60055, https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arrius-2k1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AGUSTA A109E
- Reported engine: TMECA ARRIUS2K1
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot flight hours: 9,700 total, 56 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC06MA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06MA005) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051007027709A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY THIS OFFICE REVEALED THAT ON OCTOBER 7, 2005, AT 2342 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, AN AUGUSTA 109E, N7YL, OPERATED BY CJ SYSTEMS INCORPORATED, WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT IMPACTED TREES AND TERRAIN IN SMETHPORT, PENNSYLVANIA, WHILE PERFORMING AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH TO BRADFORD REGIONAL AIRPORT (BFD), BRADFORD, PENNSYLVANIA. THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED. NIGHT INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED, AND AN INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES (IFR) FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED FOR THE FLIGHT THAT ORIGINATED FROM KANE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (PA91), KANE, PENNSYLVANIA, AT 2324. THE POSITIONING FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED UNDER 14 CFR PART 91.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC06MA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06MA005), Oct 8, 2005: Augusta 109E (N7YL), Smethport, PA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors in the accident were, night instrument meteorological conditions, pilot workload, and improper air traffic control procedures by the approach…

## Other reports on N7YL (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20030515010309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030515010309A), May 15, 2003: Agusta A109E (N7YL), Harbor Creek, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot wrote, "while leveling off at 700 ft AGL I felt a vibration in the rotor system. After confirming all control responses were normal, I executed…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft 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. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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