# NTSB NYC92FA044: MBB BO-105CBS, N750H, De Ruyter, NY, December 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 9, 1991, 20:47 local (Dec 10, 1991, 01:47 UTC)
- Place: De Ruyter, NY
- Coordinates: 42.750656, -75.860908 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7507&lon=-75.8609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37045
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92FA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37045/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92FA044

## Probable cause

AN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN AFTER THE PILOT EXPERIENCED SPATIAL DISORIENTATION.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE NIGHT CONDITIONS, AND THE LACK OF VISUAL CUES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE MEDIVAC HELICOPTER WAS CRUISING AT 2700 FEET (700 FT AGL) WHEN IT SUDDENLY ENTERED A RIGHT TURN OF 95 DEG IN 15 SEC WHILE MAINTAINING ALTITUDE.  THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A DESCENDING LEFT TURN OF 60 DEG IN LESS THAN 5 SECONDS.  THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED IN A SKIDS LEVEL, NOSE DOWN PITCH ATTITUDE.  THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT NIGHT OVER AN UNLIGHTED AREA WITH OVERCAST CLOUD CONDITIONS.  INTERVIEWS AND EXAMINATION OF COMPANY CORRESPONDENCE DISCLOSED THE PILOT HAD A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH NIGHT FLYING AND NAVIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N750H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N750H-1993-04-15), registration cancelled 1993-04-15, S/N S644 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MBB BO-105CBS
- Registry model: [Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm BO-105S](https://openairdocs.org/model/messerschmitt-boelkow-blohm-bo-105s) (registry code 5626006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: S644
- Airframe hours: 2241
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Omniflight Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Deutsche Credit Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, November 6, 1991, 17 hours before
- Departed: ITH, ITHACA, NY
- Destination: UTICA, NY
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,255 total, 89 in this make and model, 2,525 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: N03, 20 nm away

## 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 19911209055319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911209055319A), Dec 9, 1991: Bolkms BO105CBS, Deruyter, NY, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Positioning flight. Crashed into trees. Record of poor apprehensive night ops. Vertigo and or heart siezure factors

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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