Bell 230 N230LF

Summary

On 7 March 1995 at about 20:51 local time, a Bell 230 registered N230LF was involved in an accident near Portland, Oregon, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 March 1995 at 20:51

Classification

Accident

Location

Portland, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Or. Health Sci U. Helipad (91OR)

Coordinates

45.5109, -122.6899

Aircraft

Bell 230

Registration

N230LF

Category

Helicopter

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA95LA068

Nobody was injured.

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE PERIMETER FENCE WHILE LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE HELIPORT PERIMETER FENCE.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING LANDING AT THE HOSPITAL HELIPORT, ABOUT 3 TO 4 FEET ABOVE TOUCHDOWN, HE FELT AN IMPACT FROM THE TAIL AREA WITH IMMEDIATE SEVERE VIBRATIONS. HE ROLLED BOTH THROTTLES OFF AND COMPLETED A LANDING FROM LOW HOVER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TAIL ROTOR HAD STRUCK A HELIPORT PERIMETER FENCE. THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE FENCE WAS BUILT WITH AN APPROXIMATE 4 INCH GAP AT MID SPAN. THE TAIL ROTOR GUARD ON THE HELICOPTER WAS ABLE TO SLIP INTO THE GAP, WHICH RESULTED IN CONTACT BETWEEN THE TAIL ROTOR AND FENCE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.