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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

June 17, 1993 · Bell 206B3 · N38EA

Stoneyford, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 17, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Stoneyford, CA
Aircraft
Bell 206B3
Tail Number
N38EA
Operator
Smith Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX93LA258

The pilot said that he had established a hover in a mountain landing zone and was in the process of air taxiing to a point where the cargo could be unloaded. The pilot said that a gust of wind buffeted the helicopter and the tail rotor contacted a rise in the ground. The pilot said he then lost all yaw directional control and the helicopter settled hard into a creek, resulting in a buckle to the boom and damage to the internal skid attach structure.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions during a hover operation. A factor in the accident was the high density altitude and the gusting, variable wind conditions.

Full Narrative

On June 17, 1993, at about 1130 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206B3 helicopter, N38EA, damaged the tailboom and skid support structure during a taxi operation following landing at a remote mountain landing site near Stoneyford, California. The aircraft was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations by Smith Helicopters of Ukiah, California, and was on an on demand air taxi cargo flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a company VFR flight plan was filed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated from a second remote landing area near the accident site on the day of the mishap at about 1120 hours. In his written report the pilot said that he had established a hover in a mountain landing zone and was in the process of air taxiing to a point where the cargo could be unloaded. The pilot said that a gust of wind buffeted the helicopter and the tail rotor contacted a rise in the ground. The pilot said he then lost all yaw directional control and the helicopter settled hard into a creek, resulting in a buckle to the boom and damage to the internal skid attach structure.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B3
Tail NumberN38EA
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSmith Helicopters
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 5 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data