# NTSB NYC08CA210: Bell 206L-4, N94PD, Philadelphia, PA, June 8, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 8, 2008, 17:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Philadelphia, PA
- Coordinates: 40.081943, -75.010559
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0819&lon=-75.0106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA\FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68196
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA210
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68196/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA210

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during hover, which resulted in an inadvertent impact with the ground.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-hover: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the Bell 206L-4 helicopter had completed a simulated engine failure, and was bringing the helicopter to a hover over a grass area, when it impacted the ground from an altitude of approximately 5 feet. The helicopter's tail boom, aft of its attach point was wrinkled, and the tail boom sagged. The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical problems with the helicopter. He reported 2,029 hours of total flight experience, which included 1,929 hours in rotorcraft, all in the same make and model as the accident helicopter. Winds reported at the airport, about the time of the accident, were variable at 7 knots.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the Bell 206L-4 helicopter had completed a simulated engine failure, and was bringing the helicopter to a hover over a grass area, when it impacted the ground from an altitude of approximately 5 feet. The helicopter's tail boom, aft of its attach point was wrinkled, and the tail boom sagged. The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the helicopter. He reported 2,029 hours of total flight experience, which included 1,929 hours in rotorcraft, all in the same make and model as the accident helicopter. Winds reported at the airport, about the time of the accident, were variable at 7 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N94PD (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Bell 206L-4
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 52205
- Airframe hours: 6380
- Engines: Allison 250-C30 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Registered owner: Philadelphia Police Department
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 2008
- Departed: PNE, Philadelphia, PA
- Destination: PNE, Philadelphia, PA
- Airport: PNE, Northeast Philadelphia

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2007; seat: right; flight hours: 2,029 total, 1,929 in this make and model, 108 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 5,022 total, 4,822 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 7 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observed at: PNE

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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