# NTSB ERA25LA027: Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, N54AE, Canal Winchester, OH, October 27, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: October 27, 2024, 14:35 local (18:35 UTC)
- Place: Canal Winchester, OH
- Coordinates: 39.866667, -82.8 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8667&lon=-82.8000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- 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): 195405
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195405/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195405
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA027

## Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bird while in cruise flight.

## Findings

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

- [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the enroute portion of the flight, a large bird impacted the top of the helicopter’s fuselage and main rotor, resulting in substantial damage to a pitch control link and a subsequent vibration. The pilot elected to make a precautionary landing in a nearby field and was able to land uneventfully.

## Sequence of events

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

- [Enroute-cruise: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54AE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N54AE), registered now, S/N 45157, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON 206L-1
- Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45157
- Year built: 1978
- Airframe hours: 40027
- Engines: Rolls-Royce M250-C30P 250 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 135
- Operator: Air Evac Ems Inc
- Registered owner: Air Evac Ems Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 26, 2024
- Departed: Columbus, OH
- Destination: Lancaster, OH
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Satellite tracking device, ADS-B, Auto-pilot

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 19, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,160 total, 4,800 in this make and model
- Other flight crew; injuries: none; seat: right; restraint: 4-point
- Other flight crew; injuries: none; seat: left; restraint: 4-point

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.33 inHg
- Observed at: LCK, 7 nm away
- METAR: KLCK 271855Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 14/M01 A3033 RMK AO2 T01361012

## 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 20241027014559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241027014559A), Oct 27, 2024: Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1, Canal Wincheste, OH, Substantial damage. This office received and assigned aircraft incident preliminary notice (8020-9) reported bird strike. Aircraft Bell 206L-1 s/n. 3 POB. No injuries. Upon…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195405. 8.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 4.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17849954&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA25LA027%20Pilot%206120_OUO_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17850510&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA25LA027%20Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17849964&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA25LA027%20Pilot%20MFR_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photographs (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17850400&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA25LA027%20Photo%20Array-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.

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