# Accident 20160603008559A: Bell 407, Mountain City, TN, June 3, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 3, 2016, 13:08 local time
- Place: Mountain City, TN
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Other, Specify
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: VE7A
- Location: 36.4747° N, 81.8047° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4747&lon=-81.8047&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4999 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 407
- Reported engine: ALLISON 250-C47
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA16LA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA202) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160603008559A

## Narrative

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

THIS WAS A HELICOPTER AIR AMBULANCE FLIGHT DEPARTING FROM THE PARKING LOT OF A MANUFACTURING PLANT.  THE INTENDED DESTINATION OF THE FLIGHT WAS JOHNSON CITY MEDICAL CENTER.  THE AIRCRAFT HAD FOUR PERSONS ON-BOARD, INCLUDING THE PILOT, A NURSE, A PARAMEDIC, AND A PATIENT.  THE AIRCRAFT LOST ENGINE POWER DURING TAKEOFF AT APPROXIMATELY 125 FEET AGL WITH NO FORWARD AIRSPEED.  THE PILOT AND SEVERAL WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING MULTIPLE LOUD BANGS FROM THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE, AND THEN SEVERAL PERSONS ON THE GROUND REPORTED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE AIRCRAFT.  THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE UPON LANDING NEAR THE POINT OF DEPARTURE.  THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING WHEN THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN.

## 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 ERA16LA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA202), Jun 3, 2016: Bell 407 (N4999), Mountain City, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: An incorrect and unapproved repair of the engine compressor diffuser performed by a machinist at a repair facility, which resulted in failure of the compressor diffuser aft plate and a partial loss…

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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