NTSB Factual Report

On November 8, 2002, at 1035 central standard time, an Agusta A109E twin-engine helicopter, N142CF, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control while attempting to takeoff from the Harris Hospital Heliport, near Fort Worth, Texas. The commercial pilot, flight paramedic, and flight nurse were not injured. The helicopter was registered to North Central Texas Services, Inc., Grand Prairie, Texas, doing business as (d.b.a.) Care Flite. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. The flight was originating from the heliport at the time of the accident and was destined for the Grand Prairie Municipal Airport, Grand Prairie.

The pilot reported that after attending a public relations event with the helicopter, the pilot was instructed by Care Flite maintenance to return to Harris Hospital, prior to proceeding to Grand Prairie for maintenance. At 1033, the helicopter landed at Harris Hospital. The pilot stated that after landing, he observed construction workers near the helipad, completed some required paperwork, and "I must have gone to flight idle with the engines." The pilot stated that the paramedic had not previously flown in an Agusta 109, so he was going to demonstrate how the helicopter could taxi and perform a running takeoff. The pilot initiated the takeoff roll, added collective, and realized the engines were not at 100 percent power. Subsequently, the helicopter became airborne, departed the heliport and came to rest on the roof of a lower level parking garage. During the accident sequence, the main rotor blades contacted a light standard, the tail rotor gearbox separated from the airframe, and the tailboom sustained structural damage.

According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot had accumulated approximately 6,500 total helicopter flight hours, with 3,100 flight hours as a flight instructor in helicopters, and 25 total hours in the same make and model as the accident helicopter.

On November 8, 2002, in an interview with a FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, the pilot reported that "he attempted a rolling take-off from the Harris Methodist Hospital heliport with an incorrect power setting (selection switch) which resulted in an emergency landing on the roof of an adjacent automobile parking garage due to insufficient engine power to maintain flight."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's attempted running takeoff with the power controls in the improper position.