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Accidents · NTSB ERA22LA342 · Final report

Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm BO_105S accident near Daytona Beach, Florida, June 30, 2022

On June 30, 2022 at about 10:42 am local time, a 1982 Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm BO_105S (helicopter), registered N160TH, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Daytona Beach, Florida (Spruce Creek Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

The pilot’s rapid reduction of collective following an in-flight loss of control while lifting from a dolly resulting in a hard landing. Contributing to the loss of control was the pilot’s likely inadequate left anti-torque control pedal input during initial liftoff.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
June 30, 2022 · about 10:42 am local time
Place
Daytona Beach, Florida · Spruce Creek Airport · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm BO_105S NO SERIES, built 1982
Registration
N160TH · registry record · serial S-610
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The pilot stated there were no discrepancies of the anti-torque pedals noted during his check of them as part of the startup checklist or after starting the engines. After lifting off from a dolly while operating about 150 pounds below gross weight, he reported “suddenly and without notice” a “pop” in the pedals. The helicopter began yawing to the right, which he attempted to correct with left anti-torque pedal input but did not recall if the pedal moved. The helicopter yawed about 180° clockwise and impacted a parked golf cart which stopped the yaw. He then lowered the collective which resulted in the helicopter landing partially on the dolly. He then raised collective and lifted from the dolly but after getting airborne the helicopter yawed left which he attempted to correct with right anti-torque pedal input. After clearing the dolly, he lowered collective and the helicopter impacted hard on the ramp resulting in substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot indicated on the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident report there was no mechanical malfunction or failure. Postaccident examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector with the accident pilot present revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the anti-torque flight controls. While binding was noted in the anti-torque flight controls during postaccident examination, that was attributed to be from impingement of a displaced skid cross tube into a bellcrank of anti-torque control system. The lack of any malfunction of the anti-torque flight controls was further supported by the pilot and witness accounts, as well as recorded video that depicted the helicopter yawing to the left in response to pilot left pedal input following right yaw.

The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.

The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English

What happened, in order

  1. Loss of control in flight during takeoff
  2. Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event

The NTSB's findings

  • Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › (general) › Pilot
  • Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
  • Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent rate › Capability exceeded

Pilot

  • Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
  • Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
  • Flight time: 1,536 hours in all; 64 in this make and model; 32 in the last 90 days; 25 in the last 30 days; 1,451 as pilot in command; 899 on instruments
  • Last flight review: January 11, 2022
  • Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: rgt
  • Injury: no injuries

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 10,666 hours
  • Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 2, 2022; 31 hours since
  • Maximum gross weight: 5,512 lb
  • Seats: 5
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine 1: Allison 250C20B (turboshaft); 8,780 hours total
  • Engine 2: Allison 250C20B (turboshaft); 10,829 hours total
  • Operator: Southern Utah University

The flight

  • Destination: STJ St. Jsoeph KS

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: a few clouds at 1,900 ft
  • Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
  • Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
  • Observation at 6:53 am from KDAB, 6 miles away

Weather report (METAR): METAR KDAB 301053Z 00000KT 10SM FEW019 SCT039 SCT110 SCT250 24/23 A3012 RMK AO2 SLP198 T02390228=

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1
Passengers2

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

5 documents, released by the NTSB on December 9, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.

The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.

Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.