# NTSB LAX08CA282: Boeing BV234, N239CH, Burns, OR, August 22, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 22, 2008, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Burns, OR - Coordinates: 43.598056, -118.958335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5981&lon=-118.9583&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 7 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68823 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA282 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68823/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA282 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles while taxiing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing-Vertol 234, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1385051), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: residence/building](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Boeing-Vertol 234, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md?model=1385051), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing-Vertol 234, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=1385051), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis After landing, the pilot ground-taxied the wheel-equipped helicopter to the fuel pit. While maneuvering in a turn, the aft main rotor blades impacted a hangar. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after landing, he taxied the helicopter toward the refueling area. He taxied for about 80 yards to the fuel station, which placed the fuel pump at the pilot’s 10-o’clock position with a taxiway pointing to the fuel pump. While they were in position to taxi to the fuel pump, airport personnel radioed that they would be pushing an airplane away from the fuel pump for clearance purposes. The pilot reported hangars off to his left near the fuel station, which was a preferable location as he was flying from the left side and it would be easier to maintain clearance from the obstacles. The pilot repositioned the helicopter to an adjacent taxiway in order to stay out of the way of the airplane. The taxiway had a straight on approach to the fuel pump, which would require a left turn to the fuel pump. This would then place the hangars on the right side of the helicopter. The pilot stated that this approach was not as clear as the first one due to the proximity of the hangars. Upon arrival at the fuel pump, the pilot initiated the left turn asking the copilot, crew chief, and a mechanic who were on the intercom with him, to assist him by keeping an eye on the hangars that were on his right side. About halfway through the turn the aft main rotor blades contacted the last hangar. The aft rotor blades pulled the aft portion of the helicopter to the right and struck the front face of the hangar, which caused more damage to the rotor blades. At that point, both throttles where reduced and the wheel brakes were applied, followed by a shutdown. The three aft main rotor blades were destroyed, along with damage to two hangars and debris damage to an airplane located in one of the hangars. A taxiway light was also destroyed. In the recommendation of how this accident/incident could have been prevented section of the Safety Board’s Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1), the pilot stated that existing guidelines and procedures for rotor clearance from obstacles was reiterated to company pilots, as well as, including the incident as part of their annual pilot’s training and discussions. The helicopter company also instituted a new procedure for wing walking whenever they are taxiing in close tolerance or congested areas. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N239CH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N239CH), registered now, S/N MJ006, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING BV234 - Registry model: [Boeing-Vertol 234](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-vertol-234) (registry code 1385051) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Honeywell AL5512](https://openairdocs.org/engine/honeywell-al5512) (registry code 33903, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: MJ006 - Airframe hours: 23265.7 - Engines: Lycoming AL5512 4355 horsepower turbo shaft; Lycoming AL5512 4355 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Columbia Helicopters Leasing - Registered owner: Columbia Helicopters Leasing - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: AAIP, August 21, 2008 - Departed: EUG, Eugene, OR - Destination: BNO, Burns, OR - Airport: BNO, Burns Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 25, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 18,613 total, 7,900 in this make and model, 15,363 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 34; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 15, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 1,013 total, 182 in this make and model, 335 as pilot in command, 182 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20080822842749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080822842749A), Aug 22, 2008: Boeing 234, Burns, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was ferrying the aircraft from portland to Utah to perform removal of equipment from high lakes in Utah. The pilot stopped for fuel in Burns, OR… 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.