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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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NTSB Report

December 20, 1994 · Bell 206B · N163BH

Miami, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 20, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Miami, FL
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N163BH
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA95LA044

WHILE OPERATING ON WATER THE PASSENGER NOTED THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS DRIFTING SOUTH TOWARDS AN EMBANKMENT. HE ANNOUNCED THIS OVER THE INTERCOM AND THE DUAL STUDENT LIFTED THE HELICOPTER TO HOVER DURING WHICH THE TAIL ROTOR CONTACTED THE EMBANKMENT. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE CFI TOOK THE CONTROLS AND PERFORMED AN UNEVENTFUL AUTOROTATIVE LANDING TO THE WATER. BEFORE THE FLIGHT THE HELICOPTER RATED STUDENT ADVISED THE CFI THAT HE DID NOT HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE OPERATING A HELICOPTER EQUIPPED WITH FLOATS.

NTSB Probable Cause

INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (CFI) FOR FAILURE TO NOTE REDUCTION IN CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TAIL ROTOR AND AN EMBANKMENT.

Full Narrative

On December 20, 1994, about 1515 eastern standard time, a fixed float-equipped Bell 206B, N163BH, registered to and operated by Biscayne Helicopters, collided with an embankment of a quarry about 4 nautical miles northwest of the Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport, Miami, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the certified flight instructor (CFI), helicopter-rated student, and passenger were not injured. The flight originated about 1500 from the Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport, Miami, Florida. Before the flight the student advised the CFI that he did not have any experience operating a helicopter equipped with floats. The flight departed and proceeded direct to the quarry. The student stated that after landing on the water near the south side of the quarry, he performed water maneuvers as directed by the CFI. While facing north, the passenger observed that the helicopter was drifting south and announced this over the intercom. The student lifted to hover during which the tail rotor contacted the embankment and directional control was lost. The CFI stated that he took over the controls, maneuvered the helicopter away from the embankment and performed a hovering autorotation to the water. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed tail rotor blade and tail boom damage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN163BH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20J · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 46 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 15000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data