Bell 206B N28SJ

Summary

On 28 September 1995 at about 18:00 local time, a Bell 206B registered N28SJ was involved in an accident near Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. 2 people were on board and one 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

28 September 1995 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Nearest airport

Eagle Creek (I14)

Coordinates

39.7291, -86.2906

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N28SJ

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI95LA335

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot not maintaining adequate terrain clearance during his maneuvering exercise and his abrupt lowering of the collective. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's lack of experience.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT SAID HE WAS DEMONSTRATING MANEUVERS OVER TALL GRASS NEAR A HILL. A TAIL WIND OF FIVE TO TEN KNOTS WAS PRESENT. HE THOUGHT THE HELICOPTER'S TAIL STINGER STRUCK THE HILL WHILE OPERATING AT 110% TORQUE. THE PILOT SAID HE OVER CONTROLLED THE COLLECTIVE WHEN HE REDUCED TORQUE. THE PILOT SAID THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED RAPIDLY AFTER HE REDUCED THE TORQUE, STRIKING THE GROUND AND ROLLING ONTO ITS LEFT SIDE. DURING TRAINING, THE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTOR PILOTS HAD STRONGLY EMPHASIZED TO THE PILOT THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING BELOW MAXIMUM TORQUE. THE PILOT STATED THIS STRONG EMPHASIS RESULTED IN HIS REDUCING THE COLLECTIVE RAPIDLY AND ULTIMATELY THE HARD COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.