Mcdonnell Douglas 520N accident near Mesa, AZ
On September 28, 1994, a Mcdonnell Douglas 520N (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Mesa, AZ. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 28, 1994
- Place
- Mesa, AZ
- Aircraft
- Mcdonnell Douglas 520N · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 33.429°N, 111.711°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X02276
NTSB summary
On September 27, 1994, at 2043 hours mountain standard time, a McDonnell Douglas MD520N (NOTAR), N520NT, collided with a McDonnell Douglas AH-64D (Longbow), R00324, while on final approach to the McDonnell Douglas Heliport, Mesa, Arizona. Both helicopters were operated by McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems, in conjunction with a flight test/evaluation by foreign military officials under 14 CFR Part 91. The Longbow was owned by the U.S. Army and leased to McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems. The NOTAR was destroyed and the certificated airline transport pilot was fatally injured. A foreign military observer in the NOTAR was seriously injured. The Longbow sustained substantial damage. The Longbow crew, a certificated commercial pilot and a foreign military pilot were not injured. The flight departed the Williams Gateway Airport, Chandler, Arizona about 2035 hours. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and both helicopters were operating on a company VFR flight plan filed at the McDonnell Douglas Heliport. The Longbow was conducting a night evaluation of the pilot's night vision system (PNVS). Use of the PNVS restricts the pilot's peripheral vision and the nature of the evaluation directed the attention of the Longbow pilots inside the cockpit. The NOTAR was assigned the task of "chase aircraft", whose duties in part were surveillance of and monitoring the Longbow, and provide traffic advisories concerning other aircraft in the area. Voice communications between the two helicopters was made via VHF radio frequencies. All three pilots had flown the ro
Probable cause
FAILURE OF THE CHASE HELICOPTER PILOT TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE LEAD HELICOPTER DURING A NIGHT APPROACH TO LAND. POSSIBLE FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS, AND INADEQUATE RADIO COORDINATION BETWEEN FLIGHT CREWS OF THE TWO HELICOPTERS.
More accidents in AZ
- De Havilland DHC-6-300, Sep 27, 1989
- Cessna 402C, Jun 19, 1992
- Piper PA-31-350, Aug 17, 1983
- Piper PA-31-350, Feb 13, 1995
- Cessna 421C, Sep 2, 1995
Browse: Arizona · Mcdonnell Douglas aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
