Bell 206B N183TC

Summary

On 26 June 2017 at about 23:45 local time, a Bell 206B registered N183TC, operated by JP Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Entiat, Washington, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 June 2017 at 23:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Entiat, Washington, United States

Coordinates

47.7322, -120.3478

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N183TC

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1975

Engines

1

Operator

JP Helicopters

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Orondo → Orondo

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA369

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to secure a loose item inside the cockpit that interfered with antitorque pedal control and led to a loss of helicopter control due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while maneuvering the helicopter at low altitude for an agricultural application flight, an unsecured clipboard that was on the seat next to him fell and became lodged under the antitorque pedals. Unable to free the clipboard, the pilot chose to make a precautionary landing. About 5 to10 ft above ground level, the pilot lost tail rotor authority, and the helicopter began to rotate to the right. After about two rotations, he was able to land the helicopter. During the touchdown, the stinger folded into the tail rotor. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.