# NTSB Accident NYC03LA033
> **MBB BK 117 A-4** · 2002-12-26 · Albany, NY, USA · NONE
## Event
- **NTSB number:** NYC03LA033
- **Event ID:** 20030102X00001
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 2002-12-26
- **Location:** Albany, NY, USA
- **Coordinates:** 42.651668, -73.77861
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** NONE
- **Fatal:** 0
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 3
- **Total aboard:** 3
## Aircraft
- **Make:** MBB
- **Model:** BK 117 A-4
- **Registration:** N951AM
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 2
- **Damage:** SUBS
## Conditions
- **Light:** NITE
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

The inadvertent encounter with a downdraft during engine start, which flexed the main rotor blades and subsequently damaged the tail boom assembly.  A factor related to the accident was the failure of the operator to comply with a service bulletin.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=NYC03LA033) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*