Bell 206L-1 N701EC

Summary

On 2 April 1995 at about 03:30 local time, a Bell 206L-1 registered N701EC was involved in an accident near Flower Mound, Texas, United States. 7 people were on board and one died, 2 were seriously injured, 4 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 April 1995 at 03:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Flower Mound, Texas, United States

Coordinates

33.0301, -97.0592

Aircraft

Bell 206L-1

Registration

N701EC

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Dallas

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

FTW95FA151

1 person died.

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER WIND EVALUATION, AND IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN PROCEDURE, RESULTING IN DYNAMIC ROLLOVER OF THE HELICOPTER. FACTORS WERE THE TAILWIND, DARK NIGHT, AND THE LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE AT NIGHT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

WITH WINDS FROM THE SOUTH AT 10-15 KNOTS, THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED TO THE NORTH, AND THE PILOT HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING THE HELICOPTER IN A CLIMB ATTITUDE. DURING A RIGHT TURN TO AVOID TREES AND HOUSES, THE PILOT OBSERVED WIRES, AND CLIMBED IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLEAR THE WIRES. HOWEVER, THE TOP WIRE WAS STRUCK BY THE BOTTOM AFT PORTION OF THE LEFT SKID. DURING THE NIGHT PRECAUTIONARY LANDING TO A LARGE FIELD THE PILOT DETERMINED HE HAD 'STABILIZED' THE HELICOPTER ON AN EAST HEADING AND FORWARD MOVEMENT WAS STOPPED. DURING THE TOUCHDOWN WITH LATERAL MOVEMENT, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER AND CAME TO REST ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE HELICOPTER WAS AT AN ESTIMATED GROSS WEIGHT O 4,120 POUNDS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT WAS 4,150 POUNDS. THE PILOT'S CURRENCY FOR CARRYING PASSENGERS AT NIGHT EXPIRED ON MARCH 11, 1995. A SUCCESSFUL ENGINE RUN WAS ACCOMPLISHED IN A TEST CELL AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.