Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albany, New York
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Air One Mobility Inc
https://registry.faa.gov/N183MP
LIVINGSTON — A helicopter flying low to prevent frost from forming on fruit trees at Klein’s Kill Fruit Farms went down early Thursday morning in Livingston, according to Livingston Fire Chief Paul Jahns IV.
Two men in the helicopter, the pilot and a passenger, were not injured in the crash, according to state police Public information Officer Aaron Hicks.
Livingston firefighters and Northern Dutchess Paramedics were dispatched by Columbia County 911 to an area near 115 Cold Spring Road around 3:29 a.m. after the crash was reported by an employee of Klein’s Kill Farm, state police said.
Firefighters were able to locate the downed rotorcraft in a field off Kilbar Road, around 700 feet from where the fire company was dispatched, Jahns said.
The Bell OH-58C Kiowa was working in Klein’s Kill Fruit Farms’ orchards, attempting to keep frost from forming on their trees, according to an accident report by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The rotorcraft was hovering over cherry trees when a tail rotor on the helicopter struck a tree, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, which is investigating the crash along with members of the state police Bureau of Criminal Investigation from the Livingston barracks.
The helicopter is owned by Air One Mobility Inc of Kingston. The company operates from the Kingston Ulster Airport, state police said.
Klein’s Kill Fruit Farms rents helicopters that fly above the apple trees to prevent freezing, said owner Russ Bartolotta.
The helicopters create a temperature inversion by bringing warm air from above down to surface level, warming the trees by 3 to 5 degrees, Bartolotta said.
The use of helicopters saved the Klein’s Kill apple crop in 2012, Bartolotta said.
Apples are at a crucial stage in their development, and temperatures as low as 25 degrees could wipe out the crop, Bartolotta said.
Air One Mobility is a nonprofit company funded by donations, according to the company’s website.
The company’s goal is to honor those who served in the military by restoring and maintaining Vietnam-era helicopters to airworthy flight condition so they can be flown and displayed at air shows, memorials, ceremonies and other special events.
https://www.hudsonvalley360.com
Location: Livingston, New York
Accident Number: ERA20CA184
Date & Time: May 14, 2020, 03:15 Local
Registration: N183MP
Aircraft: Bell OH-58C
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot of a helicopter reported that while maneuvering at low altitude, about 150 ft above the ground at night, the helicopter struck a tree. Subsequently, the helicopter started spinning to the right, impacted terrain, and rolled onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail-boom and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance while maneuvering at low altitude at night, which resulted in the helicopter striking a tree.
Findings
Aircraft Altitude - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Monitoring environment - Pilot
Environmental issues Dark - Contributed to outcome
Environmental issues Tree(s) - Not specified
Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial; Flight instructor; Private
Age: 64,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Helicopter; Instrument helicopter
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: March 14, 2020
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: July 31, 2018
Flight Time: (Estimated) 4383 hours (Total, all aircraft), 564 hours (Total, this make and model), 4254 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 16 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Bell
Registration: N183MP
Model/Series: OH-58C
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 1970 Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: 71-20666
Landing Gear Type: High skid
Seats: 5
Date/Type of Last Inspection: March 15, 2020 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3200 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Turbo shaft
Airframe Total Time: 4299.6 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Rolls Royce
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: C20C
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 420 Horsepower
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Night/dark
Observation Facility, Elevation: PSF,1194 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 28 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 07:54 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 56°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.27 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 2°C / -6°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Livingston, NY
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Livingston, NY
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 03:15 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 42.168056,-73.812774 (est)
LIVINGSTON — A helicopter flying low to prevent frost from forming on fruit trees at Klein’s Kill Fruit Farms went down early Thursday morning in Livingston, according to Livingston Fire Chief Paul Jahns IV.
Two men in the helicopter, the pilot and a passenger, were not injured in the crash, according to state police Public information Officer Aaron Hicks.
Livingston firefighters and Northern Dutchess Paramedics were dispatched by Columbia County 911 to an area near 115 Cold Spring Road around 3:29 a.m. after the crash was reported by an employee of Klein’s Kill Farm, state police said.
Firefighters were able to locate the downed rotorcraft in a field off Kilbar Road, around 700 feet from where the fire company was dispatched, Jahns said.
The Bell OH-58C Kiowa was working in Klein’s Kill Fruit Farms’ orchards, attempting to keep frost from forming on their trees, according to an accident report by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The rotorcraft was hovering over cherry trees when a tail rotor on the helicopter struck a tree, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, which is investigating the crash along with members of the state police Bureau of Criminal Investigation from the Livingston barracks.
The helicopter is owned by Air One Mobility Inc of Kingston. The company operates from the Kingston Ulster Airport, state police said.
Klein’s Kill Fruit Farms rents helicopters that fly above the apple trees to prevent freezing, said owner Russ Bartolotta.
The helicopters create a temperature inversion by bringing warm air from above down to surface level, warming the trees by 3 to 5 degrees, Bartolotta said.
The use of helicopters saved the Klein’s Kill apple crop in 2012, Bartolotta said.
Apples are at a crucial stage in their development, and temperatures as low as 25 degrees could wipe out the crop, Bartolotta said.
Air One Mobility is a nonprofit company funded by donations, according to the company’s website.
The company’s goal is to honor those who served in the military by restoring and maintaining Vietnam-era helicopters to airworthy flight condition so they can be flown and displayed at air shows, memorials, ceremonies and other special events.
https://www.hudsonvalley360.com
They were lucky no injuries. The shutdown of air shows and tribute events reduces donations to flying non profit groups, so no surprise adding some donation-based orchard work to make up the shortfalls.
ReplyDeleteHope there is insurance to help with repairs, gonna be expensive to put back in service.