# NTSB MIA00LA098: Bell 412, N411UT, Karns, TN, February 26, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 26, 2000, 02:16 local (08:16 UTC)
- Place: Karns, TN
- Coordinates: 35.969478, -83.939613 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9695&lon=-83.9396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 48685
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48685/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA098

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout while repo sitioning the helicopter at a road side landing zone resulting in an in-flight (hover) collision with a tree.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated he landed at an landing zone to pick up in jured personnel. The slope was too steep so he decided to reposition the helicopter, and picked up to a hover. He was looking out the left side of the helicopter watching wires next to a driveway. He turned the tail to the right and the tail rotor collided with a 15 foot tall tree.

## Factual narrative

On February 26, 2000, at about 0216 central standard time, a Bell 412, N411UT, registered to University Health System Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 air ambulance positioning flight, experienced an in-flight collision with a tree with maneuvering at a road side landing zone (LZ). Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan was filed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The airline transport pilot, flight nurse and emergency medical technician reported no injuries. The flight originated about 15 minutes before the accident.

The pilot stated he landed at an LZ  to pick up injured personal. The slope was of the terrain was too steep, so he decided to reposition the helicopter and picked up to a hover. He was looking out the left side of the helicopter watching wires next to a driveway. He turned the tail to the right and the tail rotor collided with about a 15-foot-tall tree. There were loud grinding noises and the helicopter yawed to the right. He reduced collective and the helicopter came to rest on the skids.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N411UT (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Bell 412
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 33125
- Airframe hours: 5259
- Engines: P&W PT6-T-3B 970 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: University Health Systems Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: AAIP, February 17, 2000, 17 hours before
- Departed: 95A, KNOXVILLE, TN
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 5,891 total, 1,838 in this make and model, 46 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYS

## 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 20000226009259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000226009259A), Feb 26, 2000: Bell 412, Karns, TN, Substantial damage. (-23) Medivac helicopter was enroute to an l/z for patient pick up. After landing, PIC realized the ground slope was excessive for engine shut down. While…

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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