Bell 206B N9TD

Summary

On 6 May 2000 at about 14:30 local time, a Bell 206B registered N9TD was involved in an accident near Eckerman, Michigan, United States. 4 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 May 2000 at 14:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Eckerman, Michigan, United States

Coordinates

46.3591, -85.0300

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N9TD

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Traverse City → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI00LA132

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to attain translational lift following an aborted landing and the loss of tail rotor effectiveness encountered by the pilot. Factors to the accident were the low rotor rpm and the trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter was destroyed following a loss of tail rotor effectiveness while landing. After losing tail rotor effectiveness, the pilot was able to land the helicopter in a field amongst pine trees. The main rotor stuck the trees and the helicopter rolled over on its right side. A fire erupted and the helicopter was consumed. The pilot said that, as he approached the landing area, the helicopter was '...about 250 pounds below max[imum] gross weight of 3,200 pounds.' The pilot stated that he decided to abort the landing and he, '...began a power pull to 100 percent torque and a transition to forward flight. The helicopter immediately began a rapidly accelerating yaw to the right. He said that he, '...believed [he] still had a functioning tail rotor, but that it may have entered a 'loss of tail rotor effectiveness' state and need only be regained.' The pilot also stated that, 'the 'low rotor RPM' warning light and horn began to come on with each pull of the collective....' A Federal Aviation Advisory Circular states that a, 'loss of translational lift results in increased power demand and additional anti-torque requirements.' The AC also states that, 'When operating at or near maximum power, this increased power demand could result in a decrease in rotor rpm ... Any reduction in the translational lift will result in an increase in power demand and anti-torque requirements.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.