# NTSB CHI99LA153: Bell 222UT, N781SA, Rockton, IL, May 16, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1999, 21:22 local (May 16, 1999, 02:22 UTC)
- Place: Rockton, IL
- Coordinates: 42.440135, -89.059852 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4401&lon=-89.0599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46309
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46309/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA153

## Probable cause

The pilot's misjudged flare during landing.  A factor to the accident was the dark night lighting condition.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

An emergency medical services helicopter positioning flight was making a night VFR landing at an off-airport site.  The helicopter landed hard, and sustained substantial damage.  The NTSB Pilot/Operator report submitted by the operator, said, in part:  '...the pilot oriented his approach angle off the bright lights from the emergency vehicles and a ground guide with two light wands.  The hard landing occurred at 2122.'

## Factual narrative

On May 15, 1999, at 2122 central daylight time, a Bell 222UT, N781SA, operated by Air Methods Corporation, sustained substantial damage during landing in a field 3 miles west of Rockton, Illinois.  The Emergency Medical Service positioning flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 and was not operating on a flight plan.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  There were no injuries reported by the airline transport pilot or the other two crew members.  The flight originated from Saint Anthony's Medical Center, Rockford, Illinois, at 2111.

Post accident inspection of the aircraft showed damage to the nose cowl, landing skids, and tail boom.  The tail rotor assembly contacted the ground and was separated from the aircraft.  The tail boom skins and substructure were damaged during the impact.  No preexisting anomalies were found and the pilot reported none.

The pilot/operator report states that the "pilot oriented his approach angle off the bright lights from the emergency vehicles and a ground guide with two light wands.  The hard landing occurred at 2122."

## Aircraft

- Registration: N781SA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Bell 222UT
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 47537
- Airframe hours: 7459
- Engines: Lycoming LTS101750C-1 735 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Methods Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 19, 1999, 46 hours before
- Departed: LL84, ROCKFORD, IL
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,200 total, 250 in this make and model, 2,150 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RFD, 16 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 19990515005139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990515005139A), May 15, 1999: Bell 222UT, Rockton, IL, Substantial damage. Pfrom tty) air methods air ambulance (a Bell 222 ut helicopter) landed hard and sustained substantial damage, no injuries were reported to the 3 POB, other…

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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