Pilot Debrief

Bell UH 1N near Baghdad — 2020-05-10

Final reportERA20CA191
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Date
2020-05-10
Location
Baghdad, IQ
Airport
OREZ
Aircraft
Bell UH 1N
Registration
N12328
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The flight crew's inadequate situational awareness and failure to maintain adequate clearance from a security barrier during a night takeoff.

NTSB narrative

According to operator, the pilots of the helicopter were departing from the heliport for a routine passenger flight in night visual meteorological conditions. The copilot brought the helicopter to a 4 ft hover, transitioned to the left and had commenced forward flight when the main rotor blades struck a security barrier. The helicopter then impacted the ground and the main rotor blades struck the tailboom. Both pilots reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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