Pilot Debrief

BELL 206B-III near Tooele, UT — 2011-03-01

Final reportWPR11LA151
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Date
2011-03-01
Location
Tooele, UT, USA
Airport
KTVY
Aircraft
BELL 206B-III
Registration
N206BY
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot did not maintain yaw control of the helicopter during a maneuvering hover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of experience in the make and model helicopter.

NTSB narrative

While accompanying a pilot who was developing further proficiency in helicopter long-line external load operations, the accident pilot, who had a total time of 1.5 hours in the make and model helicopter that was being flown, was offered the opportunity to fly an external load circuit. During the circuit, which was the pilot's first long-line experience in that make and model helicopter, the helicopter suddenly began to yaw to the right as it approached the point where the load was going to be placed on the ground. The pilot at the controls was unable to arrest the yaw, and during his attempt to regain control of the helicopter, it descended into the terrain. A postaccident examination of the helicopter found no evidence of any anomaly or malfunction that would have contributed to a loss of control of the helicopter.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
ATP should have aborted the approach upon initial yaw indication.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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