The non-instrumented-rated commercial pilot of the AW109E who died after it crashed atop a New York high-rise on June 10 radioed that he “did not know where he was” and flew erratically in and out of clouds reported as low as 500 feet, reversed course, and radically changed pitch angle and altitude, according to a preliminary report issued this week by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Pilot Timothy McCormack was the only one aboard when the 2000 model year Leonardo AW109E, N200BK, crashed onto the roof of the 54-story Axa Equitable Center on 7th Avenue at an altitude of 765 msl, caught fire, and sent a minor amount of debris onto the 50th floor and into the street.
A Central Park weather station one mile from the crash reported as 500 feet overcast and visibility of 1.086 nm in rain and mist. The 10-minute flight departed New York’s East 34th Street Heliport (6N5) and was bound for New Jersey's Linden Airport (LDJ). The helicopter had arrived at 6N5 approximately two hours before takeoff. FBO staff at 6N5 reported to the NTSB that the accident pilot was continuously checking weather and before departure mentioned to them that he had a “20-minute window to make it out.”
FAA tracking data shows the helicopter departed 6N5, flew south over the East River and then turned northbound. Five to seven minutes after departure the pilot requested a return to 6N5 and at that time reported he “did not know where he was.” The helicopter then flew erratically over the East River, turned westbound to approach 6N5 and came within 500 feet at an altitude of 600 to 700 feet msl before reversing course, then flying erratically over Manhattan, violating the Midtown Manhattan TFR, and crashing onto the roof of the building. The last recorded position of the helicopter was one-tenth of a mile from the building at an altitude of 1,570 feet msl.
The debris field atop the building was 100 feet long and 20 feet wide and oriented on a heading of 300 degrees.
After preliminary inspection of the wreckage, the NTSB reported that all three landing gear actuators were in the down position and that the throttle levers were in the Max position, but their position at impact could not be confirmed. All four main rotor blades were fragmented. The wreckage was partially consumed in a post-impact fire.
McCormack held a second-class FAA medical issued May 15, 2019. At the time he reported 2,805 total hours of flight time.
The non-instrumented-rated commercial pilot of the AW109E who died after it crashed atop a New York high-rise on June 10 radioed that he “did not know where he was,” according to the preliminary report issued in late June by the NTSB. Pilot Timothy McCormack flew the 2000 model year Leonardo AW109E (N200BK) erratically in and out of clouds reported as low as 500 feet, reversed course, and radically changed pitch angle and altitude. He was the only one aboard when the helicopter crashed onto the roof of the 54-story Axa Equitable Center at 787 7th Avenue at an altitude of 765 msl, caught fire, and sent a minor amount of debris onto the 50th floor and the street.
Weather from a Central Park reporting station one mile from the crash site was reported as 500 feet overcast and visibility of 1.086 nautical miles in rain and mist. The 10-minute flight departed New York’s East 34th Street Heliport (6N5) and was bound for Linden Airport (LDJ) in Linden, New Jersey. FBO staff at 6N5 reported to the NTSB that the accident pilot was continuously checking weather and just before departure mentioned to them that he had a “twenty-minute window to make it out.”
FAA tracking data shows the helicopter departed 6N5, flew south over the East River and then turned northbound. Five to seven minutes after departure the pilot requested a return to 6N5 and at that time reported he “did not know where he was.” The helicopter then flew erratically over the East River, turned westbound to approach 6N5 and came within 500 feet at an altitude of 600-700 feet msl before reversing course, then flying erratically over Manhattan, violating the Midtown Manhattan TFR (Trump Tower), and crashing onto the roof of the building.
The last recorded position of the helicopter was one-tenth of a mile from the building at an altitude of 1,570 feet msl. The debris field atop the building was 100 feet long and 20 feet wide and oriented on a heading of 300 degrees.
After preliminary wreckage inspection, the NTSB reported that all three landing gear actuators were in the down position and that the throttle levers were in the Max position, but their position at impact could not be confirmed. All four main rotor blades were fragmented. The wreckage was partially consumed in a post-impact fire.
McCormack held a second-class FAA medical issued May 15, 2019. At the time he reported 2,805 total hours of flight time.