Bell BHT-206-B3 N876M

Summary

On 30 July 2003 at about 14:00 local time, a Bell BHT-206-B3 registered N876M was involved in an accident near Fort Myers, 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

30 July 2003 at 14:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Fort Myers, Florida, United States

Coordinates

26.6298, -81.8492

Aircraft

Bell BHT-206-B3

Registration

N876M

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Public Use

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lehigh Acres → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA03TA152

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to adequately clear the right skid of obstructions which resulted in a dynamic rollover to the right during takeoff and damage to the helicopter.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he had landed in a marshy area to allow a mosquito control inspector to perform an inspection of the area over which they were going to conduct an aerial application flight the afternoon. As he landed, he said he noted that the landing surface was flat with 6-inch grass, 1-inch standing water, and mud. He said he inspected the right skid from the cockpit, while the inspector departed the helicopter to inspect the mangrove, and saw a branch or root extending 6 inches above the grass, 4 inches outboard of the right skid near the aft cross tube saddle. He said the inspector returned and reported no obstructions to the left skid, and before the takeoff check was complete, he ascended, establishing a 2-foot stable hover in a level attitude. He said he checked the torque, and began to increase collective for climbout, but the helicopter did not climb. He looked over his right shoulder to check for an obstruction, and at that time detected that a roll was developing to the right. He said he tried to reduce the collective, but it was not enough. The roll continued and the helicopter came to rest on its right side. Prior to the accident, the pilot said there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the helicopter or any of its systems.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.