Bell 206 N6259C

Summary

On 20 August 2017 at about 19:30 local time, a Bell 206 registered N6259C, operated by Helicopter Parts International Inc, was involved in an accident near Minden, Nevada, United States. 5 people were 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

20 August 2017 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Minden, Nevada, United States

Nearest airport

Minden-Tahoe (MEV)

Coordinates

38.9983, -119.7572

Aircraft

Bell 206

Registration

N6259C

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1971

Engines

1

Operator

Helicopter Parts International Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Minden

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA495

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during landing 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 of the helicopter reported that, during landing, the helicopter "encountered LTE [loss of tail rotor effectiveness]." He added that he maneuvered the helicopter to an open field adjacent to the intended helipad and that the tail rotor impacted a barbed wire fence. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration's Helicopter Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-21A, contained a section titled "Loss of Tail Rotor Effectiveness (LTE)," which stated:         Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE) or an unanticipated yaw is defined as an uncommanded, rapid yaw towards the advancing blade which does not subside of its own accord. It can result in the loss of the aircraft if left unchecked. It is very important for pilots to understand that LTE is caused by an aerodynamic interaction between the main rotor and tail rotor and not caused from a mechanical failure. Some helicopter types are more likely to encounter LTE due to the normal certification thrust produced by having a tail rotor that, although meeting certification standards, is not always able to produce the additional thrust demanded by the pilot.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.