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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 5, 2000 · Bell 206B · N49686

Haines, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 5, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Haines, AK
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N49686
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC00LA055

The certificated commercial helicopter pilot was landing on an elevated landing platform. After landing, as the throttle was retarded to the flight idle position, the helicopter began to shake violently, and tip backwards. The pilot opened the throttle in an attempt to restore rotor rpm, but the helicopter continued to tip backwards, and the tail rotor blades struck the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial to the tail rotor gearbox assembly, and vertical fin. According to a FAA operations inspector, the pilot stated to him that after she had an opportunity to think about the events surrounding the accident, she felt that she had landed the helicopter with the rear skid cross-tube over the aft edge of the elevated platform.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point.

Full Narrative

On May 5, 2000, about 1400 Alaska daylight time, a high skid, pop-out float equipped Bell 206B helicopter, N49686, sustained substantial damage while landing, about 20 miles southeast of Haines, Alaska, at latitude 58 degrees, 55 minutes north, and longitude 135 degrees, 11 minutes west. The helicopter was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) positioning flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The helicopter was operated by Coastal Helicopters Inc., Juneau, Alaska. The solo certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was in effect. The flight originated at the Juneau International Airport, Juneau, about 1325. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on May 5, the pilot reported that she was landing on an elevated landing platform, at a remote radio repeater site. She said that after landing, as she retarded the throttle to the flight idle position, the helicopter began to shake violently, and tip backwards. She added that she opened the throttle in an attempt to restore rotor rpm, but the helicopter continued to tip backwards, and the tail rotor blades struck the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial to the tail rotor gearbox assembly, and vertical fin. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations inspector, Juneau Flight Standards District Office on May 5, the pilot stated to him that after she had an opportunity to think about the events surrounding the accident, she felt that she had landed the helicopter with the rear skid cross-tube over the aft edge of the elevated platform.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN49686
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 425
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingOvercast 7500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 39 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data