# NTSB CHI08CA018: Bell 407, N407LL, St Cloud, MN, October 15, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 15, 2007, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: St Cloud, MN - Coordinates: 45.553333, -94.073333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5533&lon=-94.0733&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67035 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67035/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=67035 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA018 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to execute a go-around when a normal approach to the intended landing point could not be maintained. An additional cause was the excessive descent rate that developed during the approach. Contributing factors were the tailwind condition and the tree line. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he experienced a stuck microphone after takeoff and elected to return to the helipad for landing. He noted that reversing course for landing resulted in a right quartering tailwind on approach. The pilot reported that about 100 feet above ground level (agl), he noticed that the helicopter was not slowing down. His attempt to reduce the ground speed by "slipping" the aircraft was not successful. As the helicopter approached a line of trees, he turned toward an open area; however, the helicopter began to settle in the turn. He applied power in an attempt to reduce the descent rate and pitched up in order to position the helicopter for a hard landing. Although the descent rate began to decrease about 30 feet agl, the helicopter skids impacted the crest of a hill. The pilot added power and brought the helicopter to a hover, before landing near the heliport. ## Factual narrative The helicopter was substantially damaged during a hard landing. The pilot reported that he experienced a stuck microphone after takeoff and elected to return to the helipad for landing. He noted that reversing course for landing resulted in a right quartering tailwind on approach. The pilot reported that about 100 feet above ground level (agl), he noticed that the helicopter was not slowing down. His attempt to reduce the ground speed by "slipping" the aircraft was not successful. As the helicopter approached a line of trees, he turned toward an open area; however, the helicopter began to settle in the turn. He applied power in an attempt to reduce the descent rate and pitched up in order to position the helicopter for a hard landing. Although the descent rate began to decrease about 30 feet agl, the helicopter skids impacted the crest of a hill. The pilot added power and brought the helicopter to a hover, before landing near the heliport. The post accident examination revealed that the skids, lower fuselage and left stabilizer were damaged in the hard landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: N407LL (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Bell 407 - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 53561 - Airframe hours: 2333 - Engines: Rolls-Royce 250-C47B 674 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Air Methods, Inc. - Registered owner: FCC Equipment Financing Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, October 1, 2007 - Departed: STC, St Cloud, MN - Destination: PVT, Buffalo, MN - Airport: STC, St Cloud Muni ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2007; seat: right; flight hours: 2,562 total, 202 in this make and model, 1,491 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 8 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: STC ## 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 20071015824599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071015824599A), Oct 15, 2007: Bell 407, St Cloud, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) Crew assigned mission to buffalo hospital, buffalo, MN. Pilot checked weather and departed helipad. On departure, the pilot determined he had a stuck mic… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2007, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=67035. 693 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 693 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40284942&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.