Pilot Debrief

BELL 407 near Patterson, LA — 2021-09-25

Final reportCEN21LA456
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Date
2021-09-25
Location
Patterson, LA, USA
Airport
PTN
Aircraft
BELL 407
Registration
N662RL
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a parked helicopter while hovering to reposition for takeoff.

NTSB narrative

While hovering from the helicopter pad to reposition for takeoff, the pilot backed up the helicopter. During a pedal turn, the tail rotor contacted another helicopter’s main rotor blades, which was parked and located behind on another pad. The pilot reported she felt a strong jolt to the left, and the helicopter began to spin. The pilot lowered the collective, reduced throttle, and the helicopter came to rest upright adjacent to the helicopter pad. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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