# NTSB NYC82FA080: MBB BO-105C, N1022H, New Ringgold, PA, April 28, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1982, 23:55 local (Apr 28, 1982, 03:55 UTC)
- Place: New Ringgold, PA
- Coordinates: 40.680187, -75.990844 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6802&lon=-75.9908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71997
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82FA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71997/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FA080

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS LEASED BY THE ALLENTOWN SACRED HEART HOSPITAL. AT 2236 EDT, THE PILOT, WHO WAS STANDING BY FOR DUTY, OBTAINED A WEATHER BRIEFING. LATER, AT 2312, THERE WAS A REQUEST FOR A MED-EVAC HELICOPTER TO RESPOND TO A CAR ACCIDENT. THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED 10 MIN LATER AND LANDED AT THE SITE AT 2343 EDT. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE HELICOPTER LIFTED OFF WITH A PATIENT, TWO NURSES AND A PILOT ON BOARD. AT THAT TIME, THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE VERY RAINY WITH A MILD BREEZE. REPORTEDLY, THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED TOWARD THE SOUTHEAST WITH THE SEARCHLIGHT ON. A SHORT TIME LATER, IT IMPACTED ON RISING TERRAIN IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND IN A RIGHT BANK. A WITNESS REPORTED SEEING THE HELICOPTER CROSS OVER TREES WITH THE SEARCHLIGHT ON, POINTING DOWN, BEFORE IMPACT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT AND FIRE. ROTATIONAL DAMAGE WAS FOUND IN BOTH ENGINE. AN FAA FORM 337, DATED 4/27/82, REVEALED THAT A NIGHTSUN SEARCHLIGHT HAD BEEN INSTALLED AND THE WEIGHT AND BALANCE HAD BEEN ADJUSTED FOR THE INSTALLATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1022H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1022H-1982-09-16), registration cancelled 1982-09-16, S/N S116 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MBB BO-105C
- Registry model: [Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm-Gm BO-105C](https://openairdocs.org/model/messerschmitt-boelkow-blohm-gm-bo-105c) (registry code 5626005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: S-116
- Airframe hours: 3639
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Keystone Helicopter Corporatio
- Registered owner: Mbb Helicopter Corporation
- Departed: NEW RINGGOLD, PA
- Destination: ALLENTOWN, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,913 total, 75 in this make and model, 33 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 113 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820427070769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820427070769A), Apr 27, 1982: Bolkms BO105C, New Ringgold, PA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Ambulance flight crashed shortly after takeoff. Near vertical impact. Indicates loss of control. Cause undetermined

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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