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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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July 21, 1995 · Bell 206B-3 · N58129

Bettles, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 21, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Bettles, AK
Aircraft
Bell 206B-3
Tail Number
N58129
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC95LA112

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LIFT AN EXTERNAL LOAD. THE SLING CABLE WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE AFT PART OF THE RIGHT SKID. AS THE PILOT INCREASED THE HOVER HEIGHT, THE CABLE BECAME TAUT. HE ATTEMPTED TO JETTISON THE LOAD, BUT THE CABLE WOULD NOT RELEASE. HE THEN LANDED THE HELICOPTER ON THE EXTERNAL LOAD.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ENSURING THE SLING CABLE WAS FREE OF THE SKID BEFORE LIFTING OFF INTO A HOVER, WHICH ALLOWED THE CABLE TO BECOME WRAPPED (ENTANGLED) AROUND THE SKID.

Full Narrative

On July 20, 1995, at 1700 Alaska daylight time, a skid equipped, Bell 206 B-3 helicopter, N58129, registered to and operated by Tundra Helicopters of Fairbanks, Alaska, struck a skid on the ground while attempting to lift a sling load and landed on the external load, at Bettles, Alaska. The external load flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 133, was departing Bettles for a field mining site in the local area. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airline transport certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The helicopter received substantial damage. According to the statement provided by the pilot in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he was attempting to lift an external load with the helicopter. As he raised the helicopter to a hover, the sling load lift cable became wrapped around the right rear skid. He attempted to release the external load when the cyclic control travel reached the lateral stop. The load would not jettison. He then landed the helicopter on the external load.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 AKDT
Nearest AirportBETTLES (0nm)
Runway1
Runway Length5200 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B-3
Tail NumberN58129
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 317
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data