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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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September 8, 1997 · Bell 206B · N770GG

Napa, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 8, 1997
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Napa, CA
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N770GG
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX97LA317

The helicopter attempted to taxi to takeoff with the tie down chains still attached, it rolled over and a 3-foot section of the main rotor blades separated and penetrated the side of a building and landed on a desk. The pilot reported that he did not routinely tie the aircraft down at night. Ramp personnel tied the aircraft down the night before due to high winds at the airport. The pilot said that he performed his preflight and did not look down at the skids, nor did he notice the tie down chains.

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure of the pilot to perform an adequate preflight, which resulted in him failing to notice and release the tie down chains.

Full Narrative

On September 8, 1997, at 1006 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206B, N770GG, attempted to taxi to takeoff with the tie down chains still attached at the Napa, California, airport. The helicopter rolled over and one of the main rotor blades separated; a 3-foot section of the blade penetrated the side of a building and landed on a desk. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site, and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight was originating at the time. Federal Aviation Administation inspectors from the Sacramento Flight Standards District Office responded to the airport, interviewed the pilot, and inspected the aircraft. The pilot reported to the inspectors that he did not routinely tie the aircraft down at night. Ramp personnel tied the aircraft down the night before due to high winds at the airport. The pilot reported to the inspectors that he performed his preflight and did not look down at the skids, nor did he notice the tie down chains.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:06 PDT
Nearest AirportNapa County Airport (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN770GG
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250 · Turboshaft · 400
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 70 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 11 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data