Eurocopter Deutschland BK-117-B2 accident near Columbus, Ohio, September 22, 2005
On September 22, 2005 at about 6:00 pm local time, a Eurocopter Deutschland BK-117-B2 (helicopter), registered N117MK, was substantially damaged in an accident near Columbus, Ohio (Ohio State airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor associated with this accident was a tailwind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 22, 2005 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Columbus, Ohio · Ohio State · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter Deutschland BK-117-B2
- Registration
- N117MK · registry record · serial 7196
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported he was returning to land from a local flight when he noticed another helicopter hovering on the ramp, and elected to alter his approach away from the other helicopter, with the intent of landing southwest of the ramp. He flew parallel to runways 27 left and right, leveled off at 50 feet, and began a right turn to approach the ramp from the west. The pilot added that he observed a kneeboard fall from the co-pilot's side of the helicopter, and land near the cyclic control boot. He tried to straighten the helicopter; however, the cyclic control felt "stiff," and could only be moved slightly to the left or aft. The helicopter continued to descend, and landed hard. A helicopter pilot, who witnessed the accident, stated that the helicopter's approach was fast, steep, and conducted with a tailwind. Examination of the helicopter, and its associated hydraulic control system, did not reveal any preimpact malfunctions. In addition, attempts to restrict the cyclic control movement by positioning the kneeboard at various locations around the cyclic control could not be duplicated. A weather observation taken at the airport, about the time of the accident, reported winds from 190 degrees at 12 knots. The pilot reported that at the time of the accident, the wind sock was "limp."
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: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,400 hours in all; 2,286 in this make and model; 63 in the last 90 days; 18 in the last 30 days; 2,891 as pilot in command; 650 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,871 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, September 1, 2005; 29 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 7,385 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Lycoming LTS-101 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming LTS-101 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OSU Columbus OH at 5:47 pm
- Destination: OSU Columbus OH
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from OSU
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 4 |
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.