Bell 206-L4 N9264G

Summary

On 23 September 1997 at about 15:10 local time, a Bell 206-L4 registered N9264G, operated by Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., was involved in an accident near Hurst, Texas, 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

23 September 1997 at 15:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Hurst, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

BHT2 Training Strip (2F2)

Coordinates

32.8295, -97.1703

Aircraft

Bell 206-L4

Registration

N9264G

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW97LA361

Nobody was injured.

The improper touchdown by the commercial pilot receiving instruction. A factor was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While the commercial pilot was terminating a practice straight-in autorotation, he initiated a flare and applied initial collective pitch to slow the helicopter's rate-of-closure. The aircraft touched down 'firm' with a 'slight nose high attitude,' and then a strong short shudder was felt as the aircraft slid to a stop within one helicopter length. The main rotor RPM was between 65 to 70 percent. The flight instructor examined the tailboom for damage before continuing with the the training flight. After completion of the planned maneuvers, the helicopter was flown to the Bell Helicopter Plant 8 Heliport and shut down. During a postflight inspection, wrinkles were found on the sides of the tail boom. The winds were reported from 180 degrees at 10 knots, and the density altitude was calculated at 2,401 feet.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.