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NTSB Report
August 7, 1989 · Bell 206B · N9916K
Boulder City, NV
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 7, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Boulder City, NV
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N9916K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA89LA148
DURING A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT, THE PILOT DESCENDED THE HELICOPTER TO A LOW ALTITUDE AND DECREASED AIRSPEED. THE PILOT THEN REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER LOST TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS AND BEGAN TO SPIN. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER PRIOR TO IT TOUCHING DOWN HARD. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE HELICOPTER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
NTSB Probable Cause
PILOT DISPLAYED POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING WHILE MANEUVERING. THE PILOT DID NOT IDENTIFY THE WIND CONDITIONS RESULTING IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE PILOT'S CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS INADEQUATE AND AS RESULT, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
DURING A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT, THE PILOT DESCENDED THE HELICOPTER TO A LOW ALTITUDE AND DECREASED AIRSPEED. THE PILOT THEN REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER LOST TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS AND BEGAN TO SPIN. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER PRIOR TO IT TOUCHING DOWN HARD. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE HELICOPTER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:45 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN9916K
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 425
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 32 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 25 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO