Pilot Debrief

BELL 206 near Venice, LA — 2011-04-13

Final reportCEN11CA303
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Date
2011-04-13
Location
Venice, LA, USA
Aircraft
BELL 206
Registration
N887T
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's improper use of the collective and cyclic control during taxi operations, which induced a dynamic rollover.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was water-taxiing a fixed-float equipped helicopter in a right sideways direction when the helicopter rolled to the right, impacted the water, rolled inverted, and sank. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was able to exit the inverted cockpit, inflate his life vest and swim to shore. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, tail rotor, and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the helicopter. The characteristics displayed by the helicopter were indicative of it encountering a dynamic rollover.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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