Bell 206 N73AW

Summary

On 6 April 2016 at about 22:10 local time, a Bell 206 registered N73AW, operated by Airwest Helicopters LLC., was involved in an accident near Supai, Arizona, 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

6 April 2016 at 22:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Supai, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

36.1464, -112.7586

Aircraft

Bell 206

Registration

N73AW

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1995

Engines

1

Operator

Airwest Helicopters LLC.

Operating rule

Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load

Purpose of flight

External Load

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Supai → Hualapai

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA16CA179

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's decision to fly a normal approach and forgetting that the long line remained attached to the helicopter, which resulted in the line snagging on a ridgeline, a loss of lateral control, and a rollover.

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 performing external load long line hauling operations with a helicopter and was on a return leg with two empty nets. During the approach to a hilltop helipad, the pilot reported that he performed a normal approach, rather than a long line approach. Subsequently, the 100 foot long line snagged on a ridgeline and the helicopter jerked in an uncontrollable turn to the right, touched down right skid first, and rolled over. The pilot reported that he forgot that the long line was still attached. The tail boom was substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The operator submitted two operator/ owner safety recommendations to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge. First, the operator revised the normal operation checklist. The revised checklist included a new "CARGO HOOK – CHECK" in both the BEFORE TAKEOFF and DESCENT AND LANDING checklist. Second, the chief pilot provided a copy of a memorandum to all employees that directs the use of an observer, when available, to observe the takeoff and landings and communicate any unsafe condition to the pilot via radio communication or hand signals.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.