Bell OH-58C N107CS

Summary

On 8 April 2002 at about 12:34 local time, a Bell OH-58C registered N107CS was involved in an accident near Punta Gorda, Florida, 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

8 April 2002 at 12:34

Classification

Accident

Location

Punta Gorda, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Charlotte County Airport (KPGD)

Coordinates

26.9203, -81.9906

Aircraft

Bell OH-58C

Registration

N107CS

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Public Use

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Punta Gorda → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA02TA081

Nobody was injured.

Dynamic rollover experienced by the pilot while attempting to lift off from a trailer after experiencing skid to trailer contact. A factor in the accident was the inadequate equipment (trailer) which had a 1.1875 inch high lip extending the length of the sides.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that the helicopter was positioned on a trailer that was located on the northeast sheriff's department ramp. After the engine start when he pulled "pitch", he felt the right skid pulling downward. He applied right cyclic input to counter the pulling and attempted to set the helicopter back down on the trailer. When he reduced pitch, the helicopter "...immediately let go from whatever was holding it down, and because of the applied right cyclic, the helicopter immediately began to roll to the right." He applied left cyclic which had no effect. The helicopter rolled off the trailer, contacted the ground, and came to rest upright. The main transmission and main rotor system separated from the helicopter. The pilot also stated that he had been trained at performing a couple or three lift offs and landings from the trailer which was purchased from an individual in Wimauma, Florida, and was reportedly designed for an OH-58 helicopter. The accident sequence was video taped on a surveillance camera, a copy of the tape was put on a CD and provided to the NTSB. Examination of the landing platform area of the trailer revealed the outer edges of both sides have an approximately 1.1875 inch high lip extending above the platform; the lip extends the length of the sides. Additionally, four sections of round bar material are welded on top of the lip in four places on the sides of the trailer; two on each side near the ends. The pilot provided a digital photograph taken sometime before the accident date depicting the accident helicopter on the trailer. A review of that photograph revealed tie down straps used to secure the helicopter go over the round bar material. Information provided by the pilot revealed that the landing platform area of the trailer is 95.250 inches wide; the skids measured 90.250 inches from outside edge to outside edge. Additionally, chipped paint was noted on a weld bead located on the left side of the platform near the forward portion where the round bar section was welded to the lip. Examination of the left skid revealed an indentation on the left forward outside portion of the skid.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.