Still photo from security camera video, as the helicopter touches down.
Federal Aviation Administration
Tail boom
Federal Aviation Administration
Cracked tail boom
Federal Aviation Administration
Cracks
Federal Aviation Administration
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fargo, North Dakota
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
https://registry.faa.gov/N947LH
Location: Minot, ND
Accident Number: CEN20LA068
Date & Time: 01/22/2020, 1332 CST
Registration: N947LH
Aircraft: Bell 407
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Collision during takeoff/land
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Positioning - Air Medical (Unspecified)
On January 22, 2019, about 1332 central standard time, a Bell 407 helicopter, N947LH, impacted a helipad perimeter fence during a landing near Minot, North Dakota. The pilot, sole occupant was not injured, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Executive Air Taxi Corp under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a positioning flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight.
The pilot conducted a flight to the Trinity Medical Helipad (2ND4) to pick up the medical crew. The pilot stated he performed a right 180° circling approach to the helipad. As he finished the turn, he thought he was a little low on final approach and "pulled in a little collective." He applied more collective as he was leveling off and the "helicopter contacted the pad firmly." The pilot added that it was firmer than a normal landing, but he thought everything was okay until he noticed a small vibration.
Before departing with the medical crew, the pilot still felt the vibration in the helicopter, so he shut the helicopter down to check. After shutdown, the crew walked toward the tail and noticed a slight bend in the lower vertical fin, the tips of both tail rotor blades missing, and the helipad safety fence was missing a small section of the fence-edge pipe.
Additional examination of the helicopter identified cracks in the tailboom structure.
A review of security camera video of the helipad showed the helicopter's tail rotor impact with the edge-fencing.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 60
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Helicopter; Instrument Helicopter
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/10/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 07/18/2019
Flight Time: 6340.8 hours (Total, all aircraft), 98.1 hours (Total, this make and model)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Bell
Registration: N947LH
Model/Series: 407 No Series
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 2001
Amateur Built:No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 53509
Landing Gear Type: Skid;
Seats:
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 12/26/2019, Continuous Airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 5501 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Turbo Shaft
Airframe Total Time: 7601.9 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Allison
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: 250-C47
Registered Owner: Executive Air Taxi Corp
Rated Power: 650 hp
Operator: Executive Air Taxi Corp
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135)
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMOT
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1354 CST
Direction from Accident Site: 45°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 300°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.78 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -2°C / -6°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Precipitation
Departure Point: Minot, ND (KMOT)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Destination: Minot, ND (2ND4)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1315 CST
Type of Airspace:
Airport Information
Airport: Trinity Health (2ND4)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 1692 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 48.232222, -101.293333
Location: Minot, ND
Accident Number: CEN20LA068
Date & Time: 01/22/2020, 1332 CST
Registration: N947LH
Aircraft: Bell 407
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Business - Air Medical (Unspecified)
On January 22, 2020, about 1332 central standard time, a Bell 407 helicopter, N947LH, impacted a helipad perimeter fence during a landing near Minot, North Dakota. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Executive Air Taxi Corp under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a positioning flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight.
The pilot reported that he planned on a flight to the Trinity Medical Helipad (2ND4) to pick up the medical crew. The pilot stated he performed a right 180° circling approach to the pad. As he finished the turn, he thought he was a little low on final approach and "pulled in a little collective." He applied more collective, as he was leveling off, and the "helicopter contacted the pad firmly." The pilot added that it was firmer than a normal landing, but he thought everything was okay until he noticed a small vibration.
Before departing with the medical crew, the pilot still felt the vibration in the helicopter, so he shut the helicopter down to check. After shutdown, the crew walked toward the tail and noticed a slight bend in the lower vertical fin, the tips of both tail rotor blades missing, and the helipad safety fence was missing a small section of the fence-edge pipe.
The helicopter was retained for further examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Bell
Registration: N947LH
Model/Series: 407 No Series
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Executive Air Taxi Corp
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135)
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMOT
Observation Time: 1354 CST
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: -2°C / -6°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 300°
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.78 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: Minot, ND
Destination: Minot, ND (2ND4)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 48.232222, -101.293333
Accident Number: CEN20LA068
Date & Time: 01/22/2020, 1332 CST
Registration: N947LH
Aircraft: Bell 407
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Collision during takeoff/land
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Positioning - Air Medical (Unspecified)
On January 22, 2019, about 1332 central standard time, a Bell 407 helicopter, N947LH, impacted a helipad perimeter fence during a landing near Minot, North Dakota. The pilot, sole occupant was not injured, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Executive Air Taxi Corp under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a positioning flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight.
The pilot conducted a flight to the Trinity Medical Helipad (2ND4) to pick up the medical crew. The pilot stated he performed a right 180° circling approach to the helipad. As he finished the turn, he thought he was a little low on final approach and "pulled in a little collective." He applied more collective as he was leveling off and the "helicopter contacted the pad firmly." The pilot added that it was firmer than a normal landing, but he thought everything was okay until he noticed a small vibration.
Before departing with the medical crew, the pilot still felt the vibration in the helicopter, so he shut the helicopter down to check. After shutdown, the crew walked toward the tail and noticed a slight bend in the lower vertical fin, the tips of both tail rotor blades missing, and the helipad safety fence was missing a small section of the fence-edge pipe.
Additional examination of the helicopter identified cracks in the tailboom structure.
A review of security camera video of the helipad showed the helicopter's tail rotor impact with the edge-fencing.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 60
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Helicopter; Instrument Helicopter
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/10/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 07/18/2019
Flight Time: 6340.8 hours (Total, all aircraft), 98.1 hours (Total, this make and model)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Bell
Registration: N947LH
Model/Series: 407 No Series
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 2001
Amateur Built:No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 53509
Landing Gear Type: Skid;
Seats:
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 12/26/2019, Continuous Airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 5501 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Turbo Shaft
Airframe Total Time: 7601.9 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Allison
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: 250-C47
Registered Owner: Executive Air Taxi Corp
Rated Power: 650 hp
Operator: Executive Air Taxi Corp
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135)
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMOT
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1354 CST
Direction from Accident Site: 45°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 300°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.78 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -2°C / -6°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Precipitation
Departure Point: Minot, ND (KMOT)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Destination: Minot, ND (2ND4)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1315 CST
Type of Airspace:
Airport Information
Airport: Trinity Health (2ND4)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 1692 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 48.232222, -101.293333
Location: Minot, ND
Accident Number: CEN20LA068
Date & Time: 01/22/2020, 1332 CST
Registration: N947LH
Aircraft: Bell 407
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Business - Air Medical (Unspecified)
On January 22, 2020, about 1332 central standard time, a Bell 407 helicopter, N947LH, impacted a helipad perimeter fence during a landing near Minot, North Dakota. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Executive Air Taxi Corp under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a positioning flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight.
The pilot reported that he planned on a flight to the Trinity Medical Helipad (2ND4) to pick up the medical crew. The pilot stated he performed a right 180° circling approach to the pad. As he finished the turn, he thought he was a little low on final approach and "pulled in a little collective." He applied more collective, as he was leveling off, and the "helicopter contacted the pad firmly." The pilot added that it was firmer than a normal landing, but he thought everything was okay until he noticed a small vibration.
Before departing with the medical crew, the pilot still felt the vibration in the helicopter, so he shut the helicopter down to check. After shutdown, the crew walked toward the tail and noticed a slight bend in the lower vertical fin, the tips of both tail rotor blades missing, and the helipad safety fence was missing a small section of the fence-edge pipe.
The helicopter was retained for further examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Bell
Registration: N947LH
Model/Series: 407 No Series
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Executive Air Taxi Corp
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135)
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMOT
Observation Time: 1354 CST
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: -2°C / -6°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 300°
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.78 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: Minot, ND
Destination: Minot, ND (2ND4)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 48.232222, -101.293333
I was looking at some old pictures I had on an old CD from 2006. I have 5 pictures of this helicopter when it was in the Tampa Police livery. Decided to look up the tail number and found this article.
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