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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

November 1, 1996 · Bell 206B · N90144

Supai, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 1, 1996
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Supai, AZ
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N90144
Operator
Action Helo of Arizona
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX97LA030

The helicopter was was being used in an external lift operation, moving supplies of salt to a storage location. The pilot reported that he was lifting to a hover over a loaded cargo net, unaware that the external load cable was draped over one of the skids. As the cable took the strain of the load, the helicopter rolled, and the lateral control limit was exceeded. The pilot released the load with an electrical switch; however, before control was regained, the helicopter contacted the ground, nose low, and the main rotor blades struck the ground. The pilot reported that from initial down-force on the skid until impact, the time frame was less than 4 seconds. He also reported no mechanical malfunction with the helicopter.

NTSB Probable Cause

improper routing of the external cargo hoist cable (over helicopter skid), which resulted in lateral imbalance and roll-over of the helicopter, as weight on the cable became effective.

Full Narrative

On November 1, 1996, at 1230 hours mountain standard time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N90144, dynamically rolled over and crashed while lifting an external sling load from an uncharted mountainous helipad located near Supai, Arizona. The helicopter was owned and operated by Action Helo of Arizona, under 14 CFR Part 133 for the local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and a company VFR flight plan had been filed for the operation. The helicopter was destroyed and property on the ground was damaged in the ensuing crash. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. In his written accident report, the pilot said that "while lifting to a hover over a cargo net external load, the 40 foot cable became fouled over the skid (left-right unknown). Control limits were exceeded with an increasing roll rate. The load was released by the electrical switch but the helicopter contacted the ground nose low striking main rotors to the ground. From initial down-force on [the] skid to impact[, it] was less than perhaps four seconds." The pilot also reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 MST
Nearest AirportUncharted Heliport (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN90144
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAction Helo of Arizona
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 425
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data