History of Flight
On March 22, 2008, about 1110 eastern daylight time, the tail skid of an Aerospatiale AS355F1, N406LH, contacted the low turning main rotor of a parked Eurocopter EC130B4, N456AE, while the Aerospatiale was departing the West 30th Street Heliport (JRA), New York, New York. Both helicopters were operated by Liberty Helicopters. The pilot and four passengers on board the Aerospatiale, and the pilot on board the Eurocopter, were not injured. The sightseeing flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
The Aerospatiale was parked on helipad seven, and the Eurocopter was on the adjacent helipad six to the right. Both helicopters faced southeast with tails toward the Hudson River. During departure, the pilot of the Aerospatiale initially "picked up to a hover," then focused on torque gauges and "proceeded to a higher hover." The pilot turned left and heard a "small thud," then landed back on helipad seven and shut down the engine.
Personnel Information
The 33-year-old airline transport pilot held certificates for rotorcraft helicopter, flight instructor (rotorcraft and instrument), and private airplane single engine land. He had 5,130 total flight hours, including 5,100 in rotorcraft (4,800 as pilot-in-command). He reported about 10 hours in the AS355 and 250 in the AS350. His most recent flight review was March 6, 2008; his most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was October 2007.
Aircraft Information
The Aerospatiale AS355F1 was a six-place, twin-turbine helicopter with a three-bladed composite main rotor about 35 feet in diameter and a tail rotor about 26 feet aft of the pilot. The most recent 100-hour inspection was March 22, 2008; the airframe had 7,393 total hours. The Eurocopter was not being operated for flight at the time; it had a main rotor diameter of about 35 feet and an overall length of about 42 feet.
Meteorological Information
The 1051 surface observation at New York City, 3 miles northeast of JRA, reported wind from 290° at 7 knots, visibility 10 miles, few clouds at 8,500 feet, temperature 5°C, dew point -17°C, and altimeter 29.94 inHg.
Airport Information
JRA heliport is on the east shore of the Hudson River in Manhattan. The primary landing area is about 300 by 50 feet, aligned on a true heading of 030°. The land-based TLOF area includes five helipads (designated three through seven) marked by painted circles 37 feet in diameter. Helipad seven is the northernmost; helipad six is adjacent. The distance between centers is about 50 feet; about 14 feet between perimeters. Landing and initial departure orientation is 120° true.
A water-based TLOF area is on a barge anchored perpendicular to, and 20 feet north of, the northern end of the land-based TLOF, extending about 270 feet into the river with four additional helipads. Operator offices form an "L" at the northeast corner of the heliport; the northern leg is 40 feet from the center (21 feet from the perimeter) of helipad seven; the eastern leg is 27 feet from the center (8 feet from the perimeter).
According to pilots, the operator based helicopters at a New Jersey airport and rarely shut down at JRA. Neither the heliport nor the operator employed marshallers.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Post-shutdown inspection revealed the Aerospatiale's tail skid separated from the lower vertical stabilizer, and a portion of the tail rotor guard was severed by contact with the Eurocopter's main rotor blades. No additional damage was found on the Aerospatiale. One of the three main rotor blades of the Eurocopter sustained substantial damage.
Additional Information
FAA Advisory Circular 150/5390-2B, Heliport Design, provides recommendations and acceptable requirements for heliport design; it is not mandatory unless federal funds are dedicated. The AC recommends minimum helipad area dimensions based on rotor diameter (RD) and overall length (OL). For the Aerospatiale AS355F1 (RD 35 ft, OL 42 ft), calculated minimums: TLOF diameter 35 ft, FATO diameter 63 ft, distance between TLOF and FATO perimeters 14 ft, safety area diameter 103 ft. The subject helipads had 37-ft TLOF markings, compliant with that dimension, but no FATO or safety area markings. The spacing between centers was 50 ft instead of the 103 ft required to meet all AC minimum dimensions.