# NTSB ATL90FA073: MBB BO-105S, N105SM, Benton, AL, March 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 6, 1990, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Benton, AL
- Coordinates: 32.269084, -86.839683 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2691&lon=-86.8397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8115
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8115/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA073

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT. THE INCORRECT WIRE SURVEY GIVEN BY THE HIGHWAY PATROL PERSONNEL WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - safety advisory - inaccurate, ground personnel (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE EMS/MEDEVAC PILOT WAS PICKING UP A PATIENT AT A REMOTE SITE. AFTER THE PATIENT WAS LOADED, THE PILOT MADE A HOVER TURN AND DEPARTED THE SITE ALONG THE SAME ROUTE HE LANDED. AT 538 FEET EAST OF THE TAKEOFF SITE AND ABOUT 40 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A WIRE WHICH CROSSED ABOVE A HIGHWAY. THE SUPPORT WIRE SNAPPED AND CONTACTED THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM. THE HELICOPTER WAS LANDED, STRAIGHT AHEAD. THE PILOT REPORTED SEEING THE WIRE JUST PRIOR TO THE COLLISION. THE CREW RECEIVED A WIRE SURVEY FROM HIGHWAY PATROL PERSONNEL PRIOR TO LANDING AT THE SITE. THE HIGHWAY PATROL REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO WIRES CROSSING THE ROAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N105SM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MBB BO-105S
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 549
- Airframe hours: 3653
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Omniflight Helicopters
- Registered owner: Omniflight Aircraft Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, March 1, 1990, 9 hours before
- Departed: BENTON, AL
- Destination: MONTGOMERY, AL
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,195 total, 32 in this make and model, 2,722 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGM, 38 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900306003409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900306003409A), Mar 6, 1990: Bolkms BO105S, Benton, AL, Substantial damage. Failed to see and struck a powerline stretched across the road after takeoff from median. Landed immediately.

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.

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