Bell 206B N79BH

Summary

On 20 June 2003 at about 19:18 local time, a Bell 206B registered N79BH was involved in an accident near Baxter, Minnesota, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 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

20 June 2003 at 19:18

Classification

Accident

Location

Baxter, Minnesota, United States

Coordinates

46.3978, -94.1372

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N79BH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Brainerd → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI03LA172

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Factors contributing to this accident were the helicopter's low airspeed, low altitude, the crosswind, and the trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter impacted trees during an autorotation following a loss of tail rotor authority. The pilot reported he was in a westbound hover about 300 feet above ground level, with a crosswind. The pilot noted the helicopter began to yaw slowly to the right and that his attempts to correct the yaw were unsuccessful. The pilot stated the yaw accelerated and the tail rotor lost effectiveness. The pilot reported he entered an autorotation after the helicopter had completed three or four rotations. The pilot noted the helicopter contacted trees and came to a stop in an upright position. An on-scene inspection of the helicopter confirmed engine and flight control continuity. A weather reporting station 3 miles to the southwest of the accident site reported the winds from 170 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 21 knots. FAA Advisory Circular 90-95 states, "Loss of tail rotor effectiveness is a critical, low-speed aerodynamic flight characteristic which can result in a an uncommanded rapid yaw rate which does not subside of its own accord and, if not corrected, can result in the loss of aircraft control." The AC further states, "Any maneuver which requires the pilot to operate in a high-power, low-airspeed environment with a left crosswind or tailwind creates an environment where unanticipated right yaw may occur."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.