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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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March 10, 1994 · Bell 206BIII · N57340

Lake Charles, LA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 10, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Lake Charles, LA
Aircraft
Bell 206BIII
Tail Number
N57340
Operator
Evergreen Helicopters
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW94LA093

DURING TAKEOFF, THE LEFT SKID CAME OFF OF THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO ROLL TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE LANDING ZONE WAS 'SOGGY' AND THAT THE RIGHT SKID 'CUT INTO THE SOD FAIRLY WELL...BRINGING ABOUT THE RAPID ROLL RATE TO THE RIGHT' WHEN THE RIGHT HEAL DID NOT COME OUT OF THE SOD.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY PERFORM A PREFLIGHT. A FACTOR WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN.

Full Narrative

On March 10, 1994 at 1052 central standard time, a Bell 206B, N57340, was substantially damaged during takeoff near Lake Charles, Louisiana. The airline transport rated pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR 133 flight. In the Pilot/Operator Report, the pilot stated that, upon taking off, the left skid came off of the ground and the aircraft began to roll to the right. Subsequently, the main rotor blade contacted the ground resulting in the main rotor head separating. The aircraft came to rest on its right side. The pilot also stated that the grass in the "landing zone was fairly soggy." He reported that the right skid "had cut the surface of the sod and was actually sunken fairly well." Additionally, he stated that the "right heal did not come cleanly out of this cut...bringing about the rapid roll rate to the right."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:52 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206BIII
Tail NumberN57340
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEvergreen Helicopters
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data