# NTSB NYC07LA149: Messerschmitt BO-105, N911GB, Isla de Vieques, PR, May 28, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 27, 2007, 20:46 local (May 28, 2007, 00:46 UTC) - Place: Isla de Vieques, PR - Coordinates: 18.220357, -66.58995 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.2204&lon=-66.5900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66338 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07LA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66338/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07LA149 ## Probable cause The mechanic's failure to secure the engine governor locking hardware, which resulted in the right engine losing power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - 1 engine - maintenance,installation - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause) - turboshaft engine,free turbine governor - disconnected - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Hard landing, emergency landing after takeoff ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, the helicopter's right engine lost power, so the pilot performed an autorotation to the ground. During the autorotation, the helicopter "landed hard," and the fuselage was substantially damaged. Examination of the helicopter's right engine revealed the trim actuator control rod was disconnected, and the locking nut and washer, which secured the governor, were loose. According to maintenance records provided by the operator, the right engine was installed on the helicopter two days prior to the accident, and the engine governors were rigged at the same time. The helicopter flew approximately 3 hours since the maintenance was performed. ## Factual narrative On May 27, 2007, at 2046 eastern daylight time, N911GB, a Messerschmitt BO-105 helicopter, operated by Aviane Air Ambulance, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from Vieques Hospital Heliport, Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico. The certificated commercial pilot, two paramedics, a passenger, and the patient were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the air ambulance flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, shortly after takeoff the helicopter's right engine lost power, so the pilot performed an autorotation to the ground. During the autorotation, the helicopter "landed hard," and was substantially damaged. Examination of the helicopter's right engine revealed the trim actuator control rod was disconnected, and the locking nut and washer, which secured the governor, were loose. According to maintenance records provided by the operator, the right engine was installed on the helicopter on May 25, 2007. The governors were also rigged during the installation. The helicopter flew approximately 3 hours since the maintenance was performed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N911GB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N911GB-2017-06-30), registration cancelled 2017-06-30, S/N S-694, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Messerschmitt BO-105 - Registry model: [Messerschmitt BO105CBS](https://openairdocs.org/model/messerschmitt-bo105cbs) (registry code 5626008) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 694 - Airframe hours: 7830 - Engines: Allison 250 C20B 410 horsepower turbo shaft; Allison 250 C20B 410 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Aviane Air Ambulance - Registered owner: MSE Air Group Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2007 - Departed: Vieques, PR - Destination: San Juan, PR - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: NONE, Vieques Hospital Heliport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2006; seat: right; flight hours: 3,677 total, 340 in this make and model, 3,602 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: TJVQ ## 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 20070527012199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070527012199A), May 27, 2007: Bolkms BO105CBS, Vieques, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. (-23) Helicopter was taking off from small hospital landing area. Upon takeoff, pilot noticed partial power loss/engine failure. Pilot commenced an… 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.