# NTSB ERA21LA262: Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, N371EE, Swan Lake, NY, June 18, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 18, 2021, 08:45 local (12:45 UTC) - Place: Swan Lake, NY - Coordinates: 41.734462, -74.759441 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7345&lon=-74.7594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: MD Helicopters, FAA/FSDO, Rolls Royce - NTSB case key (mKey): 103303 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA262 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103303/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103303 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA262 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the power transmission tower structure during powerline maintenance work, which resulted in the helicopter's main rotor striking the lifeline support bracket for the tower catwalk and the subsequent loss of control and collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=3027369), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=3027369), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=3027369), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=3027369), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-hover: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3027369), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot positioned the helicopter near one of the power transmission tower structures as the lineman, seated on a platform that was attached externally on the skids, began the maintenance. The pilot and the lineman both reported that they then heard a bang, and the helicopter began to shake violently. The pilot maneuvered the helicopter away from the tower and descended through the tree branches. The helicopter came to rest upright in a heavily wooded area. A microscopic postaccident examination of one main rotor blade tip revealed witness marks consistent with metal impact, and a support bracket for the tower catwalk displayed impact damage. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter. A postaccident examination of the tower revealed that, unlike the majority of the towers being maintained, it was equipped with a catwalk which had a lifeline support bracket protruding from the top of it for the tower catwalk. Given this information, it is likely that the pilot did not note this hazard and that main rotor blade tip impacted the tower structure and resulted in the subsequent loss of control. ## Factual narrative On June 18, 2021, around 0845 eastern daylight time, a McDonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, N371EE, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Swan Lake, New York. The pilot and lineman sustained serious injuries. The helicopter was being operated by Haverfield Corporation as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 133 rotorcraft external load operation. The helicopter was performing maintenance work to electric power transmission equipment. The pilot visually confirmed there was adequate clearance to work as he approached the tower and positioned the helicopter near one of the tower structures. The lineman, seated on a platform attached externally on the skids, removed the safety voltage detector to make room for his shunt and started the maintenance. The pilot described that during this process it felt a “bang came from behind them” and the helicopter began to shake violently while various cockpit alarms sounded. He stated that he had “limited control authority” as he pulled away from the tower and looked for a safe area to land. He descended the helicopter through the tree branches while attempting to keep it level. The lineman reported that as he began the maintenance, he heard a “bang” and then repeated “bang” noises and felt the helicopter shaking as it pulled away from the tower. He attempted to turn around to see if they had struck something but was unable to do so given the force that was pushing him onto the platform. His equipment began to fly off the platform and he tucked himself into a ball on the platform when he saw that the helicopter was descending through the trees. The helicopter impacted trees and came to rest upright in a heavily wooded area. The tailboom remained attached to the fuselage with left bending and crushing deformation forward of the empennage. A photo of the powerline tower being worked on revealed damage to a lifeline support bracket for the tower catwalk (see figure). Figure - Tower where lineman was working with close-up view of damage. A postaccident microscopic examination of one main rotor blade tip showed witness marks consistent with metal impact. The tail rotor assembly exhibited little to no damage. The examination revealed no evidence of any preimpact failure or malfunction of the helicopter’s controls or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident examination of the tower revealed that, unlike most of the towers being maintained, it was equipped with a catwalk which had a lifeline support bracket protruding from the top of it for the tower catwalk. Review of the helicopter technical description as well as a diagram of the tower at which the upset occurred revealed that there was a negative vertical and lateral clearance from the main rotor blades to the lifeline support bracket for the tower catwalk. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N371EE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N371EE-2022-10-21), registration cancelled 2022-10-21, S/N 0371E, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELICOPTER 369E - Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-helicopter-369e) (registry code 3027369) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0371E - Year built: 1989 - Airframe hours: 17907.7 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C20-B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: External load, Part 133 - Operator: Haverfield International - Registered owner: TVPX Aircraft Solutions, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 28, 2021, 74.4 hours before - Departed: MSV, Monticello, NY - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: serious; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 30, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,851 total, 1,567 in this make and model, 3,677 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Cabin crew; injuries: serious; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: MSV, 3 nm away - METAR: KMSV 181256Z AUTO VRB03KT 10SM CLR 17/09 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP170 T01720094 ## 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 20210618015959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210618015959A), Jun 18, 2021: Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, Ferndale, NY, Substantial damage. On 06/18/2021 at approximately 8:15 am EST, a Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter, model 369E, registration number N371EE, s/n 0371E, certificated in the standard… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 8, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103303. 17.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13066063&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Haverfield_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot and crewmember statements (item 2, PDF, 7 pages, 851 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13065764&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20and%20Crewmember%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness statements (item 3, PDF, 10 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13065222&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Interviews%20and%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Helicopter and tower schematics (item 4, PDF, 6 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13076320&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Helicopter%20and%20Tower%20Schematics_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 5, PDF, 9 pages, 4.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13065232&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record airframe and engine examination (item 6, PDF, 13 pages, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13065861&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA21LA262%20Examination%20Summary-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 7, PDF, 13 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13093698&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Signed%20Party%20Forms_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 8, PDF, 2 pages, 185 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13065685&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Signed%20Wreckage%20Release%20Package_Redacted-Rel.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.