# NTSB NYC04CA049: Bell B407, N508MT, Morehead, KY, December 21, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 20, 2003, 21:50 local (Dec 21, 2003, 02:50 UTC) - Place: Morehead, KY - Coordinates: 38.196666, -83.166664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1967&lon=-83.1667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 58513 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04CA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58513/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA049 ## Probable cause The ground personnel's failure to identify the hazardous condition. Factors were blowing snow and night conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - snow (contributing factor) - unsafe/hazardous condition - not identified, ground personnel (cause) - light condition - night (contributing factor) - object - pole - Loss of control - in flight, hover - autorotation - performed, pilot in command - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis After two reconnaissance flights over the landing zone, the pilot initiated an approach. The pilot then performed a go-around due to blowing snow, and completed a third reconnaissance flight over the landing zone. During the second approach, the tail rotor struck a standing frost free hydrant. The hydrant was approximately 1 inch in diameter and 3 feet high. The helicopter subsequently spun right and the pilot performed a hovering autorotation to the ground. Ground personnel had marked the perimeter of the landing zone with lights. However, the ground personnel later stated that they had not walked the interior of the landing zone and were unaware of the obstacle. ## Factual narrative On December 20, 2003, about 2150 eastern standard time, a Bell 407, N508MT, was substantially damaged while landing in a field near Morehead, Kentucky. The certificated commercial pilot and two crewmembers were not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Saint Clair Hospital, Morehead, Kentucky. A company VFR flight plan was filed for the positioning flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that that he was dispatched to a medical evacuation approximately 8 miles east of the hospital. The helicopter arrived over the landing zone, and the pilot performed a "high recon" to locate obstacles and determine the best way to land. The pilot then completed a "low recon" to confirm obstacles, briefed the crewmembers, and initiated an approach. However, the pilot performed a go-around due to blowing snow. The pilot made another "low recon" and re-briefed the crewmembers before initiating a second approach. During the second approach, the tail rotor struck a standing frost free hydrant. The hydrant was approximately 1 inch in diameter and 3 feet high. The helicopter subsequently spun right and the pilot performed a hovering autorotation to the ground. The pilot further stated that ground personnel had marked the perimeter of the landing zone with lights. However, the ground personnel later stated that they had not walked the interior of the landing zone and were unaware of the obstacle. Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed damage to the tail rotor, tail rotor gearbox, and tail boom. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N508MT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N508MT), registered now, S/N 53326, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell B407 - Registry model: [Bell 407](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-407) (registry code 1182206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C47 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c47-series) (registry code 03029, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 53326 - Engines: Rolls-Royce 250-C47B turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Med-Trans Corporation OFC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NONE, Morehead, KY - Destination: NONE, Morehead, KY - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: NONE, None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2; last flight review October 30, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 3,840 total, 75 in this make and model, 3,285 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 18 °F - Observed at: JKL, 50 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 20031220032349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031220032349A), Dec 20, 2003: Bell 407, Morehead, KY, Substantial damage. (-23) Medavac helicopter hit a stand pipe in Morehead, KY in a rv park camp site. Pilot stated that they had used the field in the past and the owner of the rv… 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.