Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the parked helicopter.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was returning to the company helipad when he was told by another on duty pilot on the ground to refuel at a south fuel tank because the north fuel tank was empty. A helicopter was parked at the northeast end of the helipad. The pilot said that he attempted to get close to the south fuel tank for the fuel hose to reach the helicopter so that he wouldn't have to pull out the full length of the hose. As he brought the helicopter into a hover, its main rotor blades stuck the main rotor blades of the parked helicopter. The pilot said that there was good visibility and a lot of lights in the area. The on duty pilot said that he was going to ground guide the helicopter but that his radio battery lost power and was unable to do so.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09IA222 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 17, 2009
- Type
- Incident
- Place
- Springfield, Illinois
- Nearest airport
- Company Helipad (AE25)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Bell 206
- N-number
- N595AE
- Category
- Helicopter
- Damage
- Minor
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.