# NTSB ERA09CA485: Bell 206L-3, N22ZA, White Plains, NY, August 26, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 26, 2009, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: White Plains, NY
- Coordinates: 41.066944, -73.707496 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0669&lon=-73.7075&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74604
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA485
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74604/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74604
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA485

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to disconnect the ground power unit prior to takeoff.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Electrical power system: external power system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022440): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022440/cases.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022440/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md)
- [Policy/procedure: availability of policy/proc](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04021010): Organizational issues › Management · Not specified; cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04021010/cases.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04021010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that during takeoff from a dolly, the helicopter nosed down, contacted the ground, and collapsed the landing skids. Post-accident inspection revealed that the helicopter had not been disconnected from the ground power unit (GPU) prior to take off. The company did not have any written procedures regarding the placement or operation of the GPU. On this flight, the GPU had been placed behind the helicopter due to its "proximity to the taxiway." The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the helicopter.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that during takeoff from a dolly, the helicopter nosed down, contacted the ground, and collapsed the landing skids. Post-accident inspection revealed that the helicopter had not been disconnected from the ground power unit (GPU) prior to take off. The company did not have any written procedures regarding the placement or operation of the GPU. On this flight, the GPU had been placed behind the helicopter due to its "proximity to the taxiway." The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the helicopter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22ZA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N22ZA), registered now, S/N 51207 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-3
- Registry model: [Bell 206L-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l-3) (registry code 1182108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 51207
- Airframe hours: 7206
- Engines: Rolls Royce 250 C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Itai Shoshani
- Registered owner: Zip Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 16, 2009
- Departed: HPN, White Plains, NY
- Destination: 6N5, 34 St. Heliport, NY
- Airport: HPN, Westchester County Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 22, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 3,250 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 3,200 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: HPN

## 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 20090826051219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090826051219A), Aug 26, 2009: Bell 206L-3, White Plains, NY, Substantial damage. During an external start procedure of N22ZA with a ground power unit (gpu) the pilot failed to disconnect the ground power unit and attempted to takeoff into…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 26, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74604. 689 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 647 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318274&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Zip Aviation GPU Start Procedures (item 2, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319539&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Zip%20Aviation%20GPU%20Start%20Procedures-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.