# NTSB ERA22LA342: Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm BO_105S, N160TH, Daytona Beach, FL, June 30, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 30, 2022, 06:42 local (10:42 UTC) - Place: Daytona Beach, FL - Coordinates: 29.079972, -81.045769 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0800&lon=-81.0458&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 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): 105616 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA342 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105616/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105616 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA342 ## Probable cause The pilot’s rapid reduction of collective following an in-flight loss of control while lifting from a dolly resulting in a hard landing. Contributing to the loss of control was the pilot’s likely inadequate left anti-torque control pedal input during initial liftoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm BO-105S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md?model=5626006), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md) - [Flight control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm BO-105S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md?model=5626006), [All aircraft, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm BO-105S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=5626006), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm BO-105S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5626006), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm BO-105S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=5626006), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated there were no discrepancies of the anti-torque pedals noted during his check of them as part of the startup checklist or after starting the engines. After lifting off from a dolly while operating about 150 pounds below gross weight, he reported “suddenly and without notice” a “pop” in the pedals. The helicopter began yawing to the right, which he attempted to correct with left anti-torque pedal input but did not recall if the pedal moved. The helicopter yawed about 180° clockwise and impacted a parked golf cart which stopped the yaw. He then lowered the collective which resulted in the helicopter landing partially on the dolly. He then raised collective and lifted from the dolly but after getting airborne the helicopter yawed left which he attempted to correct with right anti-torque pedal input. After clearing the dolly, he lowered collective and the helicopter impacted hard on the ramp resulting in substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot indicated on the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident report there was no mechanical malfunction or failure. Postaccident examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector with the accident pilot present revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the anti-torque flight controls. While binding was noted in the anti-torque flight controls during postaccident examination, that was attributed to be from impingement of a displaced skid cross tube into a bellcrank of anti-torque control system. The lack of any malfunction of the anti-torque flight controls was further supported by the pilot and witness accounts, as well as recorded video that depicted the helicopter yawing to the left in response to pilot left pedal input following right yaw. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N160TH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N160TH-2023-04-12), registration cancelled 2023-04-12, S/N S-610, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MESSERSCHMITT-BOELKOW-BLOHM BO_105S (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm BO-105S](https://openairdocs.org/model/messerschmitt-boelkow-blohm-bo-105s) (registry code 5626006) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20b) (registry code 03081, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: S-610 - Year built: 1982 - Airframe hours: 10666 - Engines: Allison 250C20B turbo shaft; Allison 250C20B 420 hp turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Southern Utah University - Registered owner: Southern Utah University - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 2, 2022, 31 hours before - Destination: STJ, St. Jsoeph, KS - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: 7FL6, Spruce Creek Airport - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 11, 2022; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,536 total, 64 in this make and model, 1,451 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KDAB, 6 nm away - METAR: METAR KDAB 301053Z 00000KT 10SM FEW019 SCT039 SCT110 SCT250 24/23 A3012 RMK AO2 SLP198 T02390228= ## 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 20220630011529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220630011529A), Jun 30, 2022: Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm BO-105S, Port Orange, FL, Substantial damage. On June 30 2022 around 0642, N160TH helicopter started to lift off helipad dolly once weight was remove from the skids the helicopter started an uncommand… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 9, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105616. 16.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 9.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14610774&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1%20Master%20Form%20Fm%20Web%204%206%202022_Recd%208%2015%202022_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness statement (item 2, PDF, 9 pages, 7 photos, 5.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14611740&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N160TH%20Witness%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of NTSB conversation (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14612661&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FINAL%20Record%20of%20Convo%20w%20Chuck%20Aaron%208%202%202022%20v02_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 784 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14611263&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 471 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14612477&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N160TH%20Hull%20Release_Fully%20Executed_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.