BELL 206B

Burlington, WA — July 11, 2009

Event Information

DateJuly 11, 2009
Event TypeACC
NTSB NumberWPR09CA338
Event ID20090713X01337
LocationBurlington, WA
CountryUSA
Coordinates48.52083, -122.46500
AirportSkagit Regional Airport
Highest InjuryNONE

Aircraft

MakeBELL
Model206B
CategoryHELI
FAR Part137
Aircraft DamageSUBS

Conditions

Light ConditionDAYL
WeatherVMC

Injuries

Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
None1
Total Injured0

Event Location

Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter while attempting to lift off from a trailer. The helicopter subsequently impacted the ground and rolled over.

Full Narrative

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was returning from an aerial application flight in the local area. As he neared the flatbed trailer that he intended to utilize as his landing zone, he noticed that there was a right crosswind of about 5 knots. Just prior to touchdown he felt the helicopter move to the left and subsequently contact the trailer. He attempted to lift off from the trailer by adding right cyclic and increasing the collective. The helicopter rolled to the right, resulting in the main rotor blades contacting the ground. The main rotor blades then impacted the tail boom resulting in its separation from the fuselage. The helicopter came to rest on its right side in a nose high attitude.

Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor assembly, tail rotor assembly, and tail boom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with 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.

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