Pilot Debrief

Bell 206 near Big Pine, FL — 2019-04-12

Final reportGAA19CA209
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Date
2019-04-12
Location
Big Pine, FL, USA
Aircraft
Bell 206
Registration
N173MS
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Ground

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while it was being reloaded with the rotors turning in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a rotor strike with ground equipment.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, after the fourth aerial application flight of the day, he landed and positioned the helicopter near the autoloader boom truck. He reduced engine power to flight idle, and the ground crew began the loading process. He verified that the collective position was full down and the cyclic friction was on, and he then exited the helicopter to stretch while maintaining one hand on the cyclic. The pilot reported that, immediately after, while standing next to the helicopter, he heard two "loud bangs." He immediately boarded the helicopter, the ground crew secured the truck's boom, and the pilot shut down the engine. Examination revealed that a main rotor blade had struck the truck's boom arm and that the main rotor blades sustained substantial damage. The director of aerial operations reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have ensured rotor clearance before exiting the helicopter.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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