# NTSB FTW87MA135: MBB BO-105CBS, N550H, Bay City, MI, June 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1987, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Bay City, MI
- Coordinates: 43.60025, -83.950897 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6003&lon=-83.9509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 12, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22437
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87MA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22437/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87MA135

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Abrupt maneuver, takeoff
  - maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACFT WAS INVOLVED IN EMS STATIC DEMONSTRATION AT BEAVER TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPT, NEAR BAY CITY. FOLLOWING DEMONSTRATION, SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A STEEP DOWNWIND TURN AT LOW ALTITUDE. REPORTED WINDS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE 250 DEGREES AT 18 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 23 KNOTS. ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION INDICATED THAT THE RIGHT SKID AND MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE GROUND IN A SUGAR BEET FIELD DURING THE TURN, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT AND POST-CRASH FIRE. THE PILOT AND FLIGHT NURSE SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES. THE PARAMEDIC RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. TEARDOWN AND EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINES FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY ANOMALIES WHICH COULD BE CAUSAL TO THE ACCIDENT. PLT ASKED FLIGHT NURSE, IMMEDIATELY BEFORE TURN, 'ARE YOU READY...'

## Aircraft

- Registration: N550H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MBB BO-105CBS
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: S-586
- Airframe hours: 1674
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Omniflight, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 30, 1986, 34 hours before
- Destination: SAGINAW, MI
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,454 total, 1,037 in this make and model, 1,930 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 18 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MBS, 13 nm away

## 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 19870607018809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870607018809A), Jun 7, 1987: Bolkms BO105S, Bay City, MI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control in an unsafe steep turn at a low altitude. Looks like pilot intended a flyby. Prior reckless reports.

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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