# NTSB NYC87LA058: Agusta A109AII, N300CC, So. Dartmouth, MA, January 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1987, 07:50 local (11:50 UTC)
- Place: So. Dartmouth, MA
- Location: 41.5918° N, 70.9411° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of South Dartmouth, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5918&lon=-70.9411&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 7 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30579
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30579/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA058

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - fatigue (cause)
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - separation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - directional control - not possible (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - overload
  - landing gear - failure,total

## Analysis

AGUSTA N300CC DEPARTED A HELIPAD IN FRONT OF CLAREMONT CORP PRESIDENT'S RESIDENCE IN SOUTH DARTMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS. AS THE HELICOPTER WAS HOVERING PRIOR TO MOVING FORWARD, THE TAIL ROTOR BLADE, S/N 124, FAILED. THE TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLY AND GEARBOX SEPARATED FROM THE HELICOPTER. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD ON THE HELIPAD COLLAPSING ALL THREE LANDING GEARS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N300CC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N300CC-2013-06-11), registration cancelled 2013-06-11, S/N 7306, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Agusta A109AII
- Registry model: [Agusta AGUSTA A109](https://openairdocs.org/model/agusta-agusta-a109) (registry code 0260109) (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: 7306
- Airframe hours: 566
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Boston Helicopter Charter, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 26, 1986, 45 hours before
- Destination: S. BOSTON, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,500 total, 256 in this make and model, 65 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F

## 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 19870113000379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870113000379A), Jan 13, 1987: Agusta A109A, South Dartmouth, MA, Substantial damage. Lifted to a hover from helipad. Tail rotor blade failed separating tail rotor. Gear box tore off. Folded struts.

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.