# NTSB ERA20CA184: Bell OH-58C, N183MP, Livingston, NY, May 14, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 14, 2020, 03:15 local (07:15 UTC)
- Place: Livingston, NY
- Coordinates: 42.168056, -73.812774 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1681&lon=-73.8128&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA / FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 101279
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101279/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101279
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA184

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance while maneuvering at low altitude at night, which resulted in the helicopter striking a tree.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1181580), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1181580), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=1181580), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell OH-58C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=1181580), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell OH-58C, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181580), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell OH-58C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1181580), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of a helicopter reported that while maneuvering at low altitude, about 150 ft above the ground at night, the helicopter struck a tree. Subsequently, the helicopter started spinning to the right, impacted terrain, and rolled onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail-boom and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of a helicopter reported that while maneuvering at low altitude, about 150 ft above the ground at night, the helicopter struck a tree. Subsequently, the helicopter started spinning to the right, impacted terrain, and rolled onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail-boom and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N183MP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N183MP), registered now, S/N 71-20666 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL OH-58C
- Registry model: [Bell OH-58C](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-oh-58c) (registry code 1181580) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20c) (registry code 03082, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 71-20666
- Year built: 1970
- Airframe hours: 4299.6
- Engines: Rolls Royce C20C 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Air One Mobility Inc
- Registered owner: Air One Mobility Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 2020
- Departed: Livingston, NY
- Destination: Livingston, NY
- Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 31, 2018; seat: right; flight hours: 4,383 total, 564 in this make and model, 4,254 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.27 inHg
- Observed at: PSF, 28 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 20200514006229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200514006229A), May 14, 2020: Bell OH-58C, Livingston, NY, Substantial damage. On 05-14-2020 at approximately 03:30 am EST, while en-route to its destination in the town of Livingston, new york, a Bell OH-58C helicopter N183MP S/N71-20666…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101279. 1.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 857 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486245&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Damage Photo (item 2, .PDF, 226 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486246&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Damage%20Photo-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.

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