Mbb BO-105C accident near Buffalo, New York, June 20, 2003
On June 20, 2003 at about 7:46 pm local time, a Mbb BO-105C (helicopter), registered N105SJ, was substantially damaged in an accident near Buffalo, New York (Heussler Hamburg Heliport airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper interpretation of a descent as a power loss and subsequent decision to autorotate, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor in the accident was the collective friction.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 20, 2003 · about 7:46 pm local time
- Place
- Buffalo, New York · Heussler Hamburg Heliport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mbb BO-105C
- Registration
- N105SJ · registry record · serial S-104
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot departed with his crew for a medical pickup flight in a helicopter. Passing through about 200 to 300 feet, the pilot perceived a power loss. The paramedic seated in the left seat reported that he called the pilot's attention to the collective as the helicopter descended and the pilot grabbed the collective. The paramedic reported that the descent stopped abruptly, and then continued as the pilot lowered the collective. The pilot reported that although there were no indications of an engine problem and the needles were not split, he sensed that the engines were not responding to the movement of the collective, and he lowered the collective to set up for an autorotation. The helicopter struck the ground, and slid for a short distance. It then became airborne, as it passed through a gate in a fence, the tail rotor struck the right side of the fence and the tail rotor and tail boom separated from the helicopter. The helicopter continued in the air for about 200 feet, spinning as it traveled forward. Ground impact marks consistent with main rotor impact were found about 200 feet from where the tail rotor separated from the helicopter. The helicopter came to rest about 50 feet beyond the main rotor blade marks. Examination of the helicopter revealed damage consistent with the engines operating at impact. No evidence of any malfunctions were found with the engines or airframe. Fuel was found in both engines. In addition, the collective friction was loose, and the last pilot to fly the helicopter before the accident flight reported he left the collective friction loose. In a follow-up interview, the pilot reported he had not checked the collective friction prior to takeoff, but thought it was OK. He had no direct memory of taking his hand off the collective, but the paramedic reported that the position of the pilot's arm was consistent with his hand being off the collective. When questioned if he had misinterpreted a lowering collective for a power loss, the pilot replied, "I can't say I didn't, maybe I did."
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,729 hours in all; 317 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 2,538 as pilot in command; 751 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 17, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,602.7 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, June 28, 2003; 17.6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,512 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Allison 250 C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Allison 250 C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: O01 Buffalo NY at 7:46 pm
- Destination: NONE Colden NY
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 20,000 ft; a few clouds at 4,200 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 7:54 pm from BUF, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.