# NTSB SEA95LA068: Bell 230, N230LF, Portland, OR, March 7, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1995, 12:51 local (20:51 UTC)
- Place: Portland, OR
- Coordinates: 45.510887, -122.68991 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5109&lon=-122.6899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42124
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42124/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA068

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE PERIMETER FENCE WHILE LANDING.  A FACTOR WAS THE HELIPORT PERIMETER FENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING LANDING AT THE HOSPITAL HELIPORT, ABOUT 3 TO 4 FEET ABOVE TOUCHDOWN, HE FELT AN IMPACT FROM THE TAIL AREA WITH IMMEDIATE SEVERE VIBRATIONS.  HE ROLLED BOTH THROTTLES OFF AND COMPLETED A LANDING FROM LOW HOVER.  INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TAIL ROTOR HAD STRUCK A HELIPORT PERIMETER FENCE.  THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE FENCE WAS BUILT WITH AN APPROXIMATE 4 INCH GAP AT MID SPAN.  THE TAIL ROTOR GUARD ON THE HELICOPTER WAS ABLE TO SLIP INTO THE GAP, WHICH RESULTED IN CONTACT BETWEEN THE TAIL ROTOR AND FENCE.

## Factual narrative

On March 7, 1995, approximately 1251 hours Pacific standard time, a Bell Helicopter Textron 230, N230LF, registered to and operated by Emanuel Hospital & Health Center, d/b/a Life Flight, and being flown by a certificated rotorcraft-rated airline transport pilot, sustained substantial damage when the tail rotor impacted a fence during landing at the University Hospital helipad, Portland, Oregon. The pilot and flight nurse were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was in effect. The flight, which was a positioning flight for intended operations from the University Hospital, was to have been operated under 14CFR91.

The pilot reported that the heliport perimeter fence extended horizontally about two feet out from the heliport surface to act as a person-catcher.  The fence was built with an approximate 4 inch gap at mid-span.  The tail rotor guard on the aircraft was able to slip down into the gap, which resulted in contact between the tail rotor and fence. The pilot believed that an accident would not have occurred if the gap had not been there in the fence.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N230LF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 230
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 23017
- Airframe hours: 634
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C30G2 734 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Emanuel Hospital & Health Ctr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 7OR5, OR
- Destination: 91OR
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 91OR, Or. Health Sci U. Helipad

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 7,800 total, 80 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19950307007129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950307007129A), Mar 7, 1995: Bell 230, Portland, OR, Substantial damage. Tail rotor struck a fence landing on helicopter pad. EMS positioning 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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