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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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March 10, 1988 · Bell 206B · N13Q

Cahokia, IL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 10, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Cahokia, IL
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N13Q
Operator
Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI88DCA01

THE INSTRUCTOR WAS GIVING A PILOT AN EMPLOYMENT EVALUATION IN THE HELICOPTER WHEN DURING THE STARTUP THE PILOT PREMATURELY ADDED FULL POWER CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO ROTATE RAPIDLY TO THE RIGHT. THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN POSITIONED ON A TRAILER. DURING THE UNCONTROLLED ROTATION IT STRUCK A TRACTOR, ATTACHED TO THE TRAILER, WITH THE TAIL ROTOR. THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST A FEW FEET FROM THE TRAILER AFTER THE MAIN ROTOR ASSEMBLY BROKE AWAY FROM THE HELICOPTER. THE TORQUE GAUGE IN THE HELICOPTER INDICATED IN EXCESS OF 100%.

Full Narrative

THE INSTRUCTOR WAS GIVING A PILOT AN EMPLOYMENT EVALUATION IN THE HELICOPTER WHEN DURING THE STARTUP THE PILOT PREMATURELY ADDED FULL POWER CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO ROTATE RAPIDLY TO THE RIGHT. THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN POSITIONED ON A TRAILER. DURING THE UNCONTROLLED ROTATION IT STRUCK A TRACTOR, ATTACHED TO THE TRAILER, WITH THE TAIL ROTOR. THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST A FEW FEET FROM THE TRAILER AFTER THE MAIN ROTOR ASSEMBLY BROKE AWAY FROM THE HELICOPTER. THE TORQUE GAUGE IN THE HELICOPTER INDICATED IN EXCESS OF 100%.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:45 CST
Nearest AirportSt. Louis Downtown (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN13Q
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHelicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · C250-C20B · Turboshaft · 317
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind9° @ 14 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data