Pilot Debrief

BELL 206 near Springfield, IL — 2009-03-17

Final reportCEN09IA222
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Date
2009-03-17
Location
Springfield, IL, USA
Airport
AE25
Aircraft
BELL 206
Registration
N595AE
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the parked helicopter.

NTSB narrative

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.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to land further away to avoid collision.

NTSB coding

  • Ground collision · Taxi
  • Attention / Monitoring

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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