Probable cause
The flight crew's inadequate situational awareness and failure to maintain adequate clearance from a security barrier during a night takeoff.
NTSB analysis
According to operator, the pilots of the helicopter were departing from the heliport for a routine passenger flight in night visual meteorological conditions. The copilot brought the helicopter to a 4 ft hover, transitioned to the left and had commenced forward flight when the main rotor blades struck a security barrier. The helicopter then impacted the ground and the main rotor blades struck the tailboom. Both pilots reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA20CA191 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 10, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Baghdad, IQ
- Nearest airport
- Us Embassy Heliport (OREZ)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 4
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Bell UH 1N
- N-number
- N12328
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1971
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Public aircraft
- Purpose of flight
- PUBF
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.