# NTSB ERA20CA191: Bell UH 1N, N12328, Baghdad, Iraq, May 10, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 10, 2020 - Place: Baghdad, Iraq - Coordinates: 33.29639, 44.922222 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2964&lon=44.9222&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 4 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 101308 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA191 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101308/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101308 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA191 ## Probable cause The flight crew's inadequate situational awareness and failure to maintain adequate clearance from a security barrier during a night takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Perception/orientation/illusion: situational awareness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035): Personnel issues › Psychological · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell UH-1N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md?model=1181425), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell UH-1N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1181425), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 UH-1N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=1181425), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell UH-1N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1181425), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to operator, the pilots of the helicopter were departing from the heliport for a routine passenger flight in night visual meteorological conditions. The copilot brought the helicopter to a 4 ft hover, transitioned to the left and had commenced forward flight when the main rotor blades struck a security barrier. The helicopter then impacted the ground and the main rotor blades struck the tailboom. Both pilots reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to operator, the pilots of the helicopter were departing from the heliport for a routine passenger flight in night visual meteorological conditions. The copilot brought the helicopter to a 4 ft hover, transitioned to the left and had commenced forward flight when the main rotor blades struck a security barrier. The helicopter then impacted the ground and the main rotor blades struck the tailboom. Both pilots reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N12328](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12328-2021-06-25), registration cancelled 2021-06-25, S/N 135117 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell UH 1N (No Series) - Registry model: [Bell UH-1N](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-uh-1n) (registry code 1181425) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 135117 - Year built: 1971 - Airframe hours: 12368 - Engines: P&WC PT6T-3B 645 horsepower turbo shaft; P&WC PT6T-3B 645 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft - federal, Public use - Operator: US Department Of State - Registered owner: US Department Of State - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 9, 2020 - Departed: OREZ, Baghdad - Destination: ORBI, Baghdad - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: OREZ, US Embassy Heliport - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 16, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 12,582 total, 1,160 in this make and model - Co-pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 8, 2020; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,195 total, 287 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: calm - Visibility: 9,999 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: ORBI, 7 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 11, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101308. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486848&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Investigation Photographs (item 2, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486849&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs%20-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.