Bell 206B N52Q

Summary

On 26 March 2016 at about 15:00 local time, a Bell 206B registered N52Q, operated by Premier Rotors LLC, was involved in an accident near Hanford, California, United States. One person was on board and one 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

26 March 2016 at 15:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Hanford, California, United States

Coordinates

36.2714, -119.5900

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N52Q

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1978

Engines

1

Operator

Premier Rotors LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hanford → Hanford

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA16CA165

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's decision to release the collective while flying at 10 feet above ground level, resulting in the rapid helicopter descent and impact with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he was performing a rehearsal 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 flight, during which he was familiarizing himself with the helicopter's Satlock aerial application system. He reported that while flying at the airspeed of about 60 miles per hour, at 10 feet above ground level, he removed his hand from the collective in order to advance to the next screen on the Satlock display. He recounted that the collective decreased which subsequently decreased themain rotor blade angle and decreased the engine power; the helicopter descended, impacted the terrain, and rolled several times before coming to rest. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the frame, rotor systems and the power train. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the helicopter prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.