# NTSB FTW04CA030: Bell 206L1, N103AE, Paris, AR, November 29, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 28, 2003, 22:08 local (Nov 29, 2003, 04:08 UTC) - Place: Paris, AR - Coordinates: 35.298889, -93.681663 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2989&lon=-93.6817&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Little Rock - NTSB case key (mKey): 58409 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04CA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58409/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04CA030 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to remove the main rotor tiedown prior to engine startup. Contributing factors were the pressure induced by conditions/events, improper preflight of the aircraft, and dark night conditions, ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - pressure induced by conditions/events, pilot in command (contributing factor) - rotor blade tie-down(s) - not removed, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The medical evacuation helicopter was responding to a request for an air ambulance medical transfer. The operator reported that the aircraft experienced a blade separation from the aircraft during startup. The 10,650-hour pilot reported that he started the aircraft with the main rotor still tied down. Recognition of this error came too late in the start sequence, and one of the main rotor blades broke and separated from the aircraft. The preflight was "rushed" due to pressure induced by the air ambulance mission. ## Factual narrative On November 28, 2003, at approximately 2208 central standard time, a Bell 206L1 air ambulance helicopter, N103AE, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during engine start at the Paris Municipal Airport (7M6) near Paris, Arkansas. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Air Evac Leasing Corporation, of West Plains, Missouri. The airline transport pilot and paramedic received minor injuries. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. The air ambulance flight originated from Paris, Arkansas, at 2200. The Director of Operations reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that the medical evacuation helicopter was responding to a request for an air ambulance medical transfer that was received at 2200. The aircraft experienced a blade separation from the aircraft during startup. Upon investigation, the 10,650-hour pilot reported that he started the aircraft with the main rotor still tied down. Recognition of this error came too late in the start sequence, and one of the main rotor blades broke and separated from the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N103AE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N103AE), registered now, S/N 45597, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206L1 - 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: 45597 - Airframe hours: 33139 - Engines: Allison 250 turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Air Evac Leasing Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, November 21, 2003, 12.9 hours before - Departed: 7M6, Paris, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 10,650 total, 3,376 in this make and model, 9,870 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.40 inHg - Observed at: RUE ## 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 20031128034249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031128034249A), Nov 28, 2003: Bell 206L1, Paris/Subiaco, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot in commamd failed to follow the checklist. In doing so, the pilot in command endangered the property and life of another. The bio-hazard area… ## Other investigations on N103AE (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW02LA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA176), Jun 9, 2002: Bell 206L-3 (N103AE), Dover, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with trees during the approach. A contributing factor was dark night light conditions. 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.