# NTSB FTW89FA049: MBB BK-117 A-1, N7025L, Tyler, TX, February 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1989, 22:17 local (Feb 14, 1989, 04:17 UTC)
- Place: Tyler, TX
- Coordinates: 32.419422, -95.209823 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4194&lon=-95.2098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22760
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89FA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22760/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89FA049

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO EXECUTE THE PUBLISHED INADVERTENT IMC PROCEDURES WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - weather condition - rain
  - weather condition - turbulence
  - light condition - dark night
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate initial training, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - inadequate training(emergency procedure(s)), company/operator management (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED AFTER CONTACTING 70' TALL HIGH TENSION POWER LINES WHILE ON A NIGHT NON-EMERGENCY EMS MISSION. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, WX WAS IMC WITH LOW OVC CEILINGS, 1/4 TO 1 MILE VIS WITH RAIN AND FOG AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGHOUT THE AREA. WITNESSES STATED THE RAIN VARIED FROM DRIZZLE TO VERY HEAVY. THE PILOT RECEIVED 3 BRIEFINGS FROM AFSS AND WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE CONDITIONS. HE HAD THE AUTHORITY TO REFUSE THE MISSION IF, IN HIS JUDGEMENT, THE WX WAS QUESTIONABLE OR UNACCEPTABLE. THE HOSPITAL HAD WRITTEN PROCEDURES FOR INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO IMC WHICH THE PLT DID NOT FOLLOW. RECORDS FAIL TO INDICATE THAT THE PILOT HAD REVIEWED THESE PROCEDURES NOR DO THEY INDICATE THAT THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED ANY IFR TRAINING DURING HIS 1 MONTH EMPLOYMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7025L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7025L-2011-09-23), registration cancelled 2011-09-23, S/N S-7025, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MBB BK-117 A-1
- Registry model: [Messerschmitt BK 117](https://openairdocs.org/model/messerschmitt-bk-117) (registry code 5626010) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming LTS-101 600A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-lts-101-600a-series) (registry code 41562, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7025
- Airframe hours: 1254
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101650B-1 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: U. S. Jet, doing business as Flight For Life
- Registered owner: U.S. Jet Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, February 7, 1989, 4 hours before
- Destination: NONE, PITTSBURG, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,554 total, 29 in this make and model, 6,416 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 330° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYR, 7 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 19890213001839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890213001839A), Feb 13, 1989: Bolkms BK117A3, Tyler, TX, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Weather poor. Aborted and returning hit powerlines. Helicopter disintegrated. VFR not recommended.

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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