Accident · 2013-02-14
What the record says
- Event date
- 2013-02-14
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury level
- No injuries
- Aircraft
- EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND GMBH MBB-BK 117 C-2 (N481LF)
- Operating rule
- Part 135
- Operator
- GEISINGER MEDICAL CENTER Operator named in NTSB report
- Operated by (per NTSB report)
- Geisinger Medical Center
Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to conduct a straight-in approach to the helipad, which resulted in the main rotor blade impacting a construction crane flag marker. Contributing to the accident was the erroneous information about the construction crane’s operation time and the pilot’s self-induced time pressure, which resulted from his awareness of the patient’s medical situation during the flight.
Source: NTSB case ERA13LA134Flight crew
Certification and experience as recorded in the NTSB accident database for this event. The NTSB records these facts about the crew's flying history; GroundCheck shows them as filed, without names or identities.
| Role | Certificate | Instrument rating | Age | Medical | Flight hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot pilot flying | Airline transport pilot / Flight instructor / Commercial | Airplane / Helicopter | 55 | Class 1 (2012-09-11) | 3,035 total · 12 in this make/model · 2,310 as PIC · 40 last 90 days |
Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.