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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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March 26, 1994 · Bell 206B · N49727

Wrangell, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 26, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Wrangell, AK
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N49727
Operator
Coastal Helicopters
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ANC94LA042

THE HELICOPTER WAS LANDING ON A MAN MADE WOOD PLATFORM AT A REMOTE LOGGING SITE. SHORTLY AFTER THE HELICOPTER'S SKIDS TOUCHED DOWN ON THE PLATFORM, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK A STUMP UP SLOPE OF THE PLATFORM.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THAT HE HAD THE PROPER CLEARANCE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS PRIOR TO LANDING ON THE PLATFORM. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH OBSTRUCTION (TREE STRUMP).

Full Narrative

On March 26, 1994, at approximately 1455 Alaska standard time, a Bell Helicopter Model 206B, N49727, registered to and operated by Coastal Helicopters, Inc., collided with terrain during a landing attempt on a wooden platform at a remote logging site on Etolin Island, approximately 18 miles south of Wrangell, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot-in-command received minor injuries. A logger who was in the process of boarding the helicopter at the time of the mishap was not injured. The helicopter was destroyed. The on-demand air taxi flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 135, last departed mile post No. 5 on Etolin Island and the intended destination was the accident site at mile post No. 3. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a Company VFR flight plan was in effect. The NTSB investigator-in-charge conducted a telephone interview with the pilot on the morning of March 28, 1994. The pilot reported that he felt the landing skids of the helicopter contact the platform. He said that the platform was constructed of logs, was triangular in shape, and estimated that it was from 1 to 2 feet above the ground. He recalled semi-resting the landing skids on the platform for a very short time, perhaps from 1 to 5 seconds, and believed that he still had some torque on the main rotor blade as he verified the platform's structural integrity. The next thing he recalled was being assisted from the wreckage. The pilot characterized the weather, at the time of the accident, as mostly clear with a few clouds in the sky, 3 to 5 miles visibility, and light and variable winds out of the southeast. A subsequent inspection of the accident site by company personnel revealed that the main rotor blades of the helicopter struck a stump up slope of the landing platform.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:55 AKST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN49727
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCoastal Helicopters
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 400

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data