# NTSB GAA18CA012: Eurocopter Deutschland MBB BK 117, N140SF, Canton, IL, October 13, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 12, 2017, 23:35 local (Oct 13, 2017, 04:35 UTC) - Place: Canton, IL - Coordinates: 40.56361, -90.074165 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5636&lon=-90.0742&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 21, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 96194 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96194/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96194 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA012 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's incorrect cyclic control during a hover, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter Deutschland MBB-BK 117 C-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5626002), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Eurocopter Deutschland MBB-BK 117 C-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=5626002), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Eurocopter Deutschland MBB-BK 117 C-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=5626002), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Eurocopter Deutschland MBB-BK 117 C-2, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5626002), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Eurocopter Deutschland MBB-BK 117 C-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=5626002), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Eurocopter Deutschland MBB-BK 117 C-2, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5626002), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter flight instructor reported that he was training a new company pilot at night, and they were using night vision goggles. He added that, while in a hover, he attempted to demonstrate the use of the controllable search light to the pilot in the right seat. The flight instructor added that, "to adjust the light, I took the [left] cyclic in my left hand which would normally be holding the left collective and attempted to reach the control switch for the light and grabbed the throttles of the right collective with my right hand. My right hand would normally be on the left cyclic." He further added that he then inadvertently pushed down on the collective, and the helicopter began to settle on the runway. He reported that in response "[his] reflex was to pull up with [his] left hand (which would normally be on the collective)," and when he did so the helicopter moved rearward. Subsequently, he "pushed the cyclic forward to correct" the rearward movement, but in doing so, the helicopter touched down hard, and the main rotor impacted the upper wire strike protection unit. The main rotor sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The helicopter flight instructor reported that he was training a new company pilot at night, and they were using night vision goggles. He added that, while in a hover, he attempted to demonstrate the use of the controllable search light to the pilot in the right seat. The flight instructor added that, "to adjust the light, I took the [left] cyclic in my left hand which would normally be holding the left collective and attempted to reach the control switch for the light and grabbed the throttles of the right collective with my right hand. My right hand would normally be on the left cyclic." He further added that, he then inadvertently pushed down on the collective and the helicopter began to settle on the runway. He reported in response "my reflex was to pull up with my left hand (which would normally be on the collective)," and when he did so the helicopter moved rearward. Subsequently, he "pushed the cyclic forward to correct" the rearward movement, but in doing so, the helicopter touched down hard and the main rotor impacted the upper wire strike protection unit. The main rotor sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N140SF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N140SF), registered now, S/N 9389, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND GMBH MBB BK 117 (C-2) - Registry model: [Eurocopter Deutschland MBB-BK 117 C-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-deutschland-mbb-bk-117-c-2) (registry code 5626002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-1E2](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1e2) (registry code 60035, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 9389 - Year built: 2010 - Airframe hours: 3156.9 - Engines: TURBOMECA/ SAFRAN ARRIEL 1E2 760 horsepower turbo shaft; TURBOMECA/ SAFRAN ARRIEL 1E2 760 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Osf Aviation LLC. - Registered owner: Bb&T Equipment Finance Corp. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: AAIP, October 2, 2017 - Departed: PIA, PEORIA, IL - Destination: CTK, Canton, IL - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: CTK, Ingersoll, runway 36, 3,899 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Satellite tracking device, Auto-pilot, Video recording device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 54; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 11, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 6,933 total, 1,130 in this make and model, 5,845 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 15, 2016; seat: right; flight hours: 3,888 total, 11 in this make and model, 3,650 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 180° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KCTK ## 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 20171012016659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171012016659A), Oct 12, 2017: Eurocopter Deutschland Gmbh MBB-BK 117 C-2, Canton, IL, Substantial damage. PIC was giving instruction on NVG light use from the left seat. PIC placed left hand on cyclic and reached for light controls with right hand. PIC… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96194. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459524&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 243 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459525&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.