Bell 206B N407FK

Summary

On 24 June 2013 at about 14:40 local time, a Bell 206B registered N407FK, operated by Wilbur-Ellis CO, was involved in an accident near Royal City, Washington, United States. One person was 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

24 June 2013 at 14:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Royal City, Washington, United States

Coordinates

46.9669, -119.7761

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N407FK

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Wilbur-Ellis CO

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Royal City → Royal City

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR13LA287

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from netting material during a low pass over trees, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was drying a cherry tree orchard covered in netting material. During a low pass, he noted that the helicopter's skid was closer to the netting than he had anticipated, and, before he could adjust, the skid hooked the netting. The pilot was unable to maintain control as the helicopter rolled, and it subsequently struck the ground inverted. The orchard was sloped, which likely made it difficult for the pilot to adequately judge the helicopter's height above the trees. 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.