# NTSB DEN08CA035: Bell 222 UT, N222LF, Casper, WY, November 28, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 28, 2007, 08:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Casper, WY
- Coordinates: 42.904998, -106.457778
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9050&lon=-106.4578&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67191
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08CA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67191/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08CA035

## Probable cause

High winds forcing the helicopter's main rotor blade to strike the helicopter vertical stabilizer and tail boom during engine start, causing substantial damage.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, standing - engine(s) operating
  - weather condition - high wind (cause)
- Miscellaneous/other, standing - engine(s) operating
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - blade strike (cause)

## Analysis

A Bell 222 helicopter, N222LF, operated by C J Systems Aviation Group, was substantially damaged when during the engine start at the Casper Medical Center, Casper, Wyoming; a wind gust forced the main rotor blade into the left vertical stabilizer fin and tail boom. The positioning flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot on board was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of accident. The wind conditions At Natrona County Airport, 6 miles west of the hospital were reported as out of the west at 30 knots.

## Factual narrative

A Bell 222 helicopter, N222LF, operated by C J Systems Aviation Group, was substantially damaged when during engine start at the Casper Medical Center, Casper, Wyoming; a wind gust forced the main rotor blade into the left vertical stabilizer fin and tail boom. The positioning flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot on board was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of accident. The wind conditions At Natrona County Airport, 6 miles west of the hospital were reported as out of the west at 30 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N222LF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N222LF-2017-09-18), registration cancelled 2017-09-18, S/N 47528, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 222 UT
- Registry model: [Bell 222UT](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-222ut) (registry code 1182148) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming LTS-101 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-lts-101-series) (registry code 41560, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 47528
- Engines: Lycoming LTS 101-750 650 horsepower turbo shaft; Lycoming LTS 101-750 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: C J Systems Aviation Group
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: Casper, WY
- Destination: CAP, Casper, WY
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2; flight hours: 2,141 total, 29 in this make and model, 91 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## Other investigations on N222LF (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 DEN01LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01LA084), Apr 6, 2001: Bell 222UT (N222LF), Alcova, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain tail rotor clearance during a right pedal turn while hovering.

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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