Bell 206L-1 N90AE

Summary

On 28 July 2007 at about 06:57 local time, a Bell 206L-1 registered N90AE was involved in an accident near Marks, Mississippi, United States. 4 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 July 2007 at 06:57

Classification

Accident

Location

Marks, Mississippi, United States

Nearest airport

Quitman Hospital Helipad

Coordinates

34.2419, -90.2731

Aircraft

Bell 206L-1

Registration

N90AE

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Marks → Memphis

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

DFW07LA171

1 person was seriously injured.

The loss of control and hard landing as result of the loss of tail rotor effectiveness. A contributing factor was the prevailing dark night conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot reported that he noted that the wind sock atop the hospital was limp prior to starting the engine. He added that the helicopter was parked on a westerly heading when the patient was loaded aboard the helicopter. The pilot added that he brought the helicopter to a hover, prior to executing a right hovering turn to the right for his planned departure in a northerly heading. The pilot further stated that he initiated a vertical takeoff on a northerly heading to clear the obstacles. The pilot added that "after reaching an altitude that allowed the rotor system to be slightly above the trees, the aircraft began a slow turn to the right." The pilot countered with left anti-torque pedal and the torque increased to 101 percent and he "backed-out on the amount of left pedal input." The pilot then attempted to "nurse the aircraft" at the 100 percent torque indication to avoid an engine over-torque condition. The pilot then lowered the collective as he attempted to remain over the helipad and land. The pilot added that the rate of turn to the right decreased some, but was not totally arrested. The helicopter landed hard while on a left yaw on a grassy area approximately 20-feet short of the helipad. The landing gear collapsed and the helicopter came to rest on its left side. The investigation revealed that the helicopter was within weight and balance limits at the time of the mishap. The helicopter was recovered to a secured location for further investigation. The 3,884-hour helicopter pilot reported having accumulated 83 hours in the last 90-days and 21.3 hours within the last 30-days. The pilot reported that he was familiar with the mission and had operated from the same heliport on previous occasions. Flight and engine control continuity was established. No mechanical discrepancies were found with the helicopter or the powerplant.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.