Eurocopter MBB-BK117-B2 accident near New York, NY
On April 15, 1997, an Eurocopter MBB-BK117-B2 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near New York, NY. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 15, 1997
- Place
- New York, NY
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter MBB-BK117-B2 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 2 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 40.759°N, 73.969°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X07806
Official records · NYC97FA076
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 15, 1997, at 1737 eastern daylight time, a Eurocopter BK-117-B2 helicopter, N909CP, operated by the Colgate-Palmolive Company, experienced a loss of control during the initial takeoff climb from the 60th Street heliport (6N4), New York, New York, and descended into the East River. The helicopter was destroyed. The certificated airline transport captain received serious injuries, and the co-pilot received minor injuries. One passenger was fatally injured, while the second passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the corporate flight which was destined for the Westchester County Airport (HPN), White Plains, New York. The flight was operated on a VFR company flight plan and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The helicopter arrived at the 60th Street heliport (6N4), from the Colgate-Palmolive Research Facility, in Piscataway, New Jersey (00NJ), a few minutes prior to the accident, and landed on the pad nearest the terminal building. Two passengers exited the helicopter, and two remained onboard. During the passenger egress, the engines remained running, and the rotors turning. The helicopter then departed on the 13th flight of the day. Witnesses observed the helicopter climb vertically from the heliport, and as the helicopter was transitioning to forward flight, a loud "pop" or "bang" was heard and the helicopter was observed to rotate in a nose right direction. Some witnesses thought they saw something depart from the tail of the helicopter while others thought that a portion of the vertical fin had bent ov
Probable cause
Fatigue failure of the vertical fin, accelerated by the installation of blind rivets in lieu of solid rivets in the replacement of the yaw SAS mount support, which resulted in the loss of helicopter directional control and collision with the terrain (water). Factors contributing to the accident were: a lack of information regarding repair of the yaw SAS mount support in the manufacturer's maintena
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Browse: New York · Eurocopter 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.
