Bell 206 N3185A

Summary

On 19 July 2010 at about 23:30 local time, a Bell 206 registered N3185A, operated by El Aero Services Inc, was involved in an accident near Wells, Nevada, United States. 4 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 July 2010 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Wells, Nevada, United States

Nearest airport

Elko Regional Airport (EKO)

Coordinates

41.0264, -115.0844

Aircraft

Bell 206

Registration

N3185A

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

El Aero Services Inc

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Elko → Elko

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR10LA359

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering after departure from mountainous terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

At the conclusion of a mountain rescue flight, the pilot was returning to the rescue site on a ridge to pick up the remaining rescuer. After the rescuer boarded and was secure, the pilot lifted off the ridge and made a right turn, traveling down the canyon slope in a manner similar to the previous flight that day. However, during this departure, the nose of the helicopter had a greater downward pitch angle than on the previous takeoff. The pilot introduced aft cyclic and brought the nose up, but the rate of descent increased rapidly as the pilot continued to increase collective and aft cyclic. The helicopter subsequently collided with the top of a ridge crest and bounced back into the air. The pilot was able to maintain control as the helicopter settled to the ground. Just before touchdown, the pilot heard the low rotor horn sound, and he increased the remaining collective as the helicopter settled into the trees. The helicopter subsequently rolled over onto its left side. After departing the helicopter, the pilot realized that the engine was still running, and he returned to shut it down. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.