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Helicopter Main Rotor Blades Strike Security Barrier During Night Departure

Baghdad, Iraq

On May 10, 2020, a Bell UH 1N No Series operated by US Department Of State was involved in an aviation accident near Baghdad, Iraq. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flight crew's inadequate situational awareness and failure to maintain adequate clearance from a security barrier during a night takeoff. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

According to the operator, a helicopter's main rotor blades struck a security barrier during a night departure from a heliport. The helicopter then impacted the ground and sustained additional damage from the main rotor blades striking the tailboom.

Accident Details

According to the operator, the pilots of the helicopter were conducting a routine passenger flight departure from a heliport in night visual meteorological conditions. During the departure, the copilot brought the helicopter to a 4 ft hover, then transitioned to the left and commenced forward flight. At this point, the main rotor blades struck a security barrier.

Following the blade strike, the helicopter impacted the ground. Subsequently, the main rotor blades struck the tailboom, causing further damage.

Pilot Reports

Both pilots reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

Causes

Flight crewDirectional control

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome

Related events

Same aircraft family

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 10 May 2020 Bell UH 1N No Series accident near Baghdad, Iraq?

According to the operator, a helicopter's main rotor blades struck a security barrier during a night departure from a heliport. The helicopter then impacted the ground and sustained additional damage from the main rotor blades striking the tailboom.

Were there any fatalities in the 10 May 2020 Bell UH 1N No Series accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 10 May 2020 involved a Bell UH 1N No Series, operated by US Department Of State, at Baghdad, Iraq.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

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

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