BELL 206B
Salinas, CA — July 19, 2014
Event Information
| Date | July 19, 2014 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | WPR14CA319 |
| Event ID | 20140729X65655 |
| Location | Salinas, CA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 36.36000, -121.31000 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | BELL |
| Model | 206B |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 137 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAWN |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to ensure adequate clearance from ground obstacles during takeoff which resulted in loss of aircraft control.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that he had landed in a field that had irrigation sprinkler pipes arranged in field rows. During takeoff and forward movement to reposition the helicopter, the right side spray boom caught on one of the sprinkler head risers which resulted in a dynamic rollover of the helicopter to the right. The helicopter came to rest on its right side and sustained substantial damage to the tail boom and damage to the main rotor blades. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.