Bell 206 N9913K

Summary

On 21 July 2023 at about 15:05 local time, a Bell 206 registered N9913K, operated by Maine Helicopters Inc, was involved in an accident near Terra Alta, West Virginia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 July 2023 at 15:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Terra Alta, West Virginia, United States

Coordinates

39.4555, -79.5927

Aircraft

Bell 206

Registration

N9913K

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1976

Engines

1

Operator

Maine Helicopters Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Morgantown → Elkins

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA23LA307

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot’s inability to maneuver the helicopter for recovery after experiencing a strong, unanticipated tailwind in a confined operating area, which resulted in a descent and subsequent impact with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was operating the helicopter near maximum gross weight about 400 ft above ground level, following the terrain for an aerial observation flight. About 10 seconds into a descent, over a hilltop toward the next power transmission line, the helicopter encountered a strong tailwind. Noting a loss of airspeed, the pilot lowered the collective to gain airspeed; however, the helicopter continued to slow and descend. The pilot further lowered the collective and pushed the cyclic forward, but this was ineffective in increasing the helicopter’s airspeed. Given the low operating profile in the confined surveying location between power transmission lines and trees, the pilot did not have adequate space to compensate for the tailwind condition or turn the helicopter into the wind. Consequently, the helicopter continued to descend until it impacted the ground. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation and stated (and a review of meteorological data confirmed) that the stronger than anticipated tailwinds arrived before the forecasted time.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.