Bell 206L-1 N5758H

Summary

On 29 August 2000 at about 22:35 local time, a Bell 206L-1 registered N5758H was involved in an accident near Los Angeles, California, United States. One person was 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

29 August 2000 at 22:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Los Angeles, California, United States

Nearest airport

Lasd Helipad (Pvt)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Bell 206L-1

Registration

N5758H

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Long Beach

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX00TA318

1 person had minor injuries.

The probable loss of the main rotor tip weight on the red blade for undetermined reasons resulting in main rotor vibration and oscillation. Sideward movement during the ensuing emergency landing resulted in a dynamic rollover.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During takeoff from a heliport atop a 10-story parking structure, the pilot heard a 'loud pop or snapping sound' as the helicopter transitioned to forward flight and then sensed a main rotor imbalance and vibration. The pilot returned to the heliport and landed on the skids, however, the helicopter subsequently rolled over and came to rest on its left side. Subsequent examination of the helicopter showed the skid cross tubes were displaced approximately 2 inches to the right in their fuselage attachment bushings and the main rotor transmission was inclined approximately 20 degrees to the right and 10 degrees forward. Examination and testing of the hydraulic pump, three flight control servos and two hydraulic filters revealed no anomalies. The tip of one main rotor blade and part of one pitch change link were not located after the accident. The mating end of the pitch change link exhibited bending along its length and crippling at the separation point consistent with overload failure.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.