# NTSB NYC92FA123: MBB BK-117, N117HH, Middletown, CT, June 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1992, 22:33 local (Jun 21, 1992, 02:33 UTC)
- Place: Middletown, CT
- Location: 41.5623° N, 72.6506° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Middletown, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5623&lon=-72.6506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 serious; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37065
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92FA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37065/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92FA123

## Probable cause

A WIRE STRIKE AFTER THE PILOT MADE A DECISION TO CONTINUE THE APPROACH INTO AN AREA OF HAZARDS.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT AND THE HOSPITAL COMMUNICATOR TO REQUEST ALL AVAILABLE INFORMATION ABOUT THE LANDING AREA AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - information - not obtained, other person (contributing factor)
  - information - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command
  - object - wire,static

## Analysis

THE NORTHBOUND EMS HELICOPTER STRUCK AN UNMARKED STATIC WIRE 105 FT ABOVE THE GROUND, 1/4 MILE SOUTH OF HIS LANDING AREA.  THE TAIL BOOM SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE AND THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED UNCONTROLLABLY, STRIKING THE GROUND INVERTED, FATALLY INJURING ONE OCCUPANT.  WHEN INTERVIEWED AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT SAID HE DID NOT REMEMBER THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES SAID THE NIGHT WAS DARK WITH FOG BEGINNING TO FORM, AND NO ABRUPT MANEUVERS WERE OBSERVED PRIOR TO THE WIRE STRIKE.  THE INVESTIGATION FOUND THE PILOT HAD NOT MADE A RECON OF THE AREA, NOR HAD HE COMMUNICATED THAT HE HAD IDENTIFIED THE LANDING AREA WHEN THE WIRE STRIKE OCCURRED.  THERE WERE NUMEROUS EMERGENCY VEHICLES IN THE AREA WITH RED AND BLUE FLASHING LIGHTS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.  ADDITIONALLY, NEITHER THE PILOT OR HOSPITAL COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR WHO TOOK THE REQUEST FOR THE HELICOPTER, HAD REQUESTED ANY HAZARD INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED LANDING AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N117HH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N117HH-1998-12-28), registration cancelled 1998-12-28, S/N 7015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MBB BK-117
- Registry model: [Messerschmitt BK 117](https://openairdocs.org/model/messerschmitt-bk-117) (registry code 5626010) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 7015
- Airframe hours: 3625
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101-650B1 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Rocky Mountain Helicopters
- Registered owner: Deutsche Credit Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, June 6, 1992, 23 hours before
- Departed: 0CT9, HARTFORD, CT
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,352 total, 801 in this make and model, 37 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HFD, 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 19920620021379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920620021379A), Jun 20, 1992: Bolkms BK117A1, Middletown, CT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flying low over highway to landing zone, struck wires. Fog,low ceiling in area. Wires not marked. EMS pickup flight

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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