Pilot Debrief

BELL 206 near Hydro, OK — 2024-01-21

Final reportCEN24FA094
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Date
2024-01-21
Location
Hydro, OK, USA
Aircraft
BELL 206
Registration
N295AE
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
3
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The helicopter’s inflight collision with cackling geese, resulting in an inflight breakup.

NTSB narrative

The helicopter was en route back to the crew’s home airfield when it encountered a flock of geese during the night flight. The helicopter was in cruise flight about 500-600 ft above ground level and at 110 knots groundspeed when the encounter occurred. The bird strike resulted in an inflight breakup of the helicopter and subsequent impact with terrain. Examination of the helicopter did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have contributed to the accident. Bird strike signatures were located on the main rotor pitch change links, which were both fractured in overload. Loss of a main rotor pitch change link would result in the loss of main rotor blade pitch directional control, vibrations, and excessive blade flapping. DNA testing found that all remains were consistent with female cackling geese, which have an average mass of 4.2 pounds Preflight mission planning for the flight would likely not have detected a risk for a bird strike. A review of military and civilian bird hazard websites showed that at the time of the accident, the probability of bird strike in that area was deemed to be low. In addition, historic migration data also estimated the probability of a bird strike at the time of the accident as low.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Bird strike
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have increased altitude to avoid bird strike during cruise.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 12 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents12

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