# NTSB MIA08CA040: Agusta A109, N109SK, ST. Augustine, FL, December 22, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 22, 2007, 05:30 local (10:30 UTC)
- Place: ST. Augustine, FL
- Coordinates: 29.959167, -81.339721
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9592&lon=-81.3397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Orlando FSDO-15
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67375
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67375/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA040

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout while taxiing.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - other

## Analysis

The pilot was ground taxing after landing for parking. Upon entering the ramp, he made a 180-degree right turn, and the tail rotor blade collided with a bush. The tail rotor fragmented, and caused structural damage to the tail boom assembly.

## Factual narrative

The pilot landed on runway 13 and was ground taxing to the company ramp for parking. Upon entering the ramp the pilot made a 180-degree right turn and the tail rotor blade collided with a bush. The tail rotor fragmented and caused structural damage to the tail boom assembly. The accident was reported late to the NTSB on January 15, 2008.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N109SK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N109SK-2017-07-17), registration cancelled 2017-07-17, S/N 7130, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Agusta A109
- Registry model: [Agusta AGUSTA A109](https://openairdocs.org/model/agusta-agusta-a109) (registry code 0260109) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7130
- Airframe hours: 4103
- Engines: Honeywell 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: SK Logistics Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, November 1, 2007, 102 hours before
- Departed: KSGF, ST> Augustine, FL
- Destination: FD58, Jacksonville, FL
- Airport: KSGJ, St. Augustine Airport, runway 13, 7,996 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2007; seat: right; flight hours: 10,800 total, 1,660 in this make and model, 10,500 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 2.5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: KSGJ

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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