Bell 206L-3 N27TK

Summary

On 28 October 2021 at about 19:00 local time, a Bell 206L-3 registered N27TK, operated by Helico Sonoma Inc., was involved in an accident near Covelo, California, United States. 4 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

28 October 2021 at 19:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Covelo, California, United States

Nearest airport

Ukiah Muni (UKI)

Coordinates

39.7905, -123.2663

Aircraft

Bell 206L-3

Registration

N27TK

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1985

Engines

1

Operator

Helico Sonoma Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ukiah → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR22LA031

Nobody was injured.

A passenger’s unsecured object departed the cabin resulted in a collision with the tail rotor drive shaft.

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, he was conducting a local area photography/video flight with passengers. Before departure he had removed the doors and provided a preflight safety briefing, which included briefing his passengers on securing their belongings. While in cruise flight, a passenger’s jacked departed the helicopter and became lodged on the synchronized elevator. The pilot simultaneously felt an impact and noted resistance against the cyclic control. A precautionary landing was made without further incident. The tail rotor drive shaft was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.