# NTSB NYC88LA020: Agusta 109A, N109AM, Spring Valley, NY, October 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1987, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Spring Valley, NY
- Coordinates: 41.119827, -74.050979 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1198&lon=-74.0510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36045
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36045/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA020

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, taxi
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, taxi

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN REFUELED AND THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO GROUND TAXI. PRIOR TO TURNING THE AIRCRAFT AROUND TO TAXI TO A PARKING AREA THE HELICOPTER WENT INTO GROUND RESONANCE AS SOON AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS MOVED. COLLECTIVE WAS LOWERED, THE ENGINE RETARDED AND THE ROTOR BRAKES APPLIED BUT GROUND RESONANCE CONTINUED UNTIL THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE PAVEMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N109AM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AGUSTA 109A
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7296
- Airframe hours: 180
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rockland Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 1987, 71 hours before
- Departed: TEB, TETERBORO, NY
- Destination: SPRING VALLEY, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4,959 total, 254 in this make and model, 4,801 as pilot in command, 114 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °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 19871030083199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871030083199A), Oct 30, 1987: Agusta A109, Spring Valley, NY, Substantial damage. Lifted off to air taxi to park after passenger deplaned. Moved backwards and skid touched. Entered ground resonance

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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