# NTSB NYC03LA110: Agusta A109E, N7YL, Harbor Creek, PA, May 15, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 15, 2003, 08:15 local (12:15 UTC) - Place: Harbor Creek, PA - Coordinates: 42.081943, -80.176109 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0819&lon=-80.1761&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57019 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA110 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57019/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA110 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper preflight inspection, during which he failed to remove a flashlight from the tailboom strake. A factor was the pilot's attention be diverted by a mechanic during the preflight inspection. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause) - object - other ## Analysis During his preflight inspection of the helicopter, the pilot placed a flashlight on the tailboom strake. The pilot's attention was diverted by a mechanic and he failed to remove the flashlight prior to departure. After takeoff, the helicopter experienced a vibration and the pilot performed a precautionary landing to a field. A subsequent inspection of the helicopter revealed the flashlight had damaged the main rotor and tail rotor blades. ## Factual narrative On May 15, 2003, at 0815 eastern daylight time, an Agusta A109E helicopter, N7YL, operated by Tri-State Emergency Systems, was substantially damaged after takeoff from the Harbor Creek Heliport, Harbor Creek, Pennsylvania. The certificated airline transport pilot and 2 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the air medical positioning flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement provided by the pilot, he stated that while checking the tailrotor driveshaft during a preflight inspection, he was called by the mechanic to look at another item on the helicopter. He placed the flashlight he was using on the V-shaped "strake" on the tailboom, and when he finished with the mechanic, he prepared for departure. The pilot then departed for a local flight and while leveling off at 700 feet, the rotor system experienced a vibration. The pilot executed a precautionary landing to a field, after which he noticed damage to the main rotor and tail rotor blades. He then attempted to locate the flashlight he had used during the preflight to further inspect the helicopter. When he was unable to locate the flashlight, the pilot realized he had left it on the "strake" during the preflight, which damaged the blades during takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7YL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7YL-2013-05-10), registration cancelled 2013-05-10, S/N 11502, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Agusta A109E - Registry model: [Agusta A109E](https://openairdocs.org/model/agusta-a109e) (registry code 0260101) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIUS-2K1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arrius-2k1) (registry code 60055, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 11502 - Engines: Turbomeca Arrius 2KI 750 horsepower turbo shaft; Turbomeca Arrius 2KI 750 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: CJ Systems - Registered owner: Tri-State Emergency Systems Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NONE, Harbor Creek, PA - Destination: ERI, Erie, PA - Airport: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 14, 2003; seat: right; flight hours: 3,183 total, 62 in this make and model, 2,218 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: ERI, 13 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 20030515010309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030515010309A), May 15, 2003: Agusta A109E, Harbor Creek, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot wrote, "while leveling off at 700 ft AGL I felt a vibration in the rotor system. After confirming all control responses were normal, I executed… ## Other investigations on N7YL (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC06MA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06MA005), Oct 8, 2005: Augusta 109E (N7YL), Smethport, PA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors in the accident were, night instrument meteorological conditions, pilot workload, and improper air traffic control procedures by the approach… 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.