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NTSB Report

November 7, 1986 · Bell 206L-3 · N3889S

Billings, MT

Overview

Report Status

Preliminary report

Event Type

Accident

Date

November 7, 1986

Injury Outcomes

3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)

Location

Billings, MT

Aircraft

Bell 206L-3

Tail Number

N3889S

Operator

Ems

Injuries

Serious

Aircraft Damage

Destroyed

NTSB Number

DEN87FA018

WHILE ON TAKEOFF FROM A HOSPITAL ROOF TOP HELIPAD ON AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE FLT, A SYNCHRONIZED ELEVATOR COVER BLEW OFF AND STRUCK THE TAIL ROTOR. THIS RESULTED IN AN INFLIGHT SEPARATION OF ONE TAIL ROTOR BLADE AND A LOSS OF ANTI-TORQUE CONTROL. THE PLT EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION IN THE URBAN AREA WITH NO SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR AN EMERGENCY FORCED LANDING.

Full Narrative

WHILE ON TAKEOFF FROM A HOSPITAL ROOF TOP HELIPAD ON AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE FLT, A SYNCHRONIZED ELEVATOR COVER BLEW OFF AND STRUCK THE TAIL ROTOR. THIS RESULTED IN AN INFLIGHT SEPARATION OF ONE TAIL ROTOR BLADE AND A LOSS OF ANTI-TORQUE CONTROL. THE PLT EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION IN THE URBAN AREA WITH NO SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR AN EMERGENCY FORCED LANDING.

Flight

Event TypeAccident

Event Time08:20 MST

Nearest Airport0nm N

Runway0

Runway Length0

Runway Width0

Flight Plan FiledNone

Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206L-3

Tail NumberN3889S

Aircraft CategoryHeli

DamageDestroyed

OperatorEms

Operating RulePart 135

Engines1

Engine TypeTurboshaft

Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C30 · Turboshaft · 650

Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)

Fatal0

Serious2

Minor1

Uninjured0

Total3

Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC

LightDaylight

Wind40° @ 7 kt

CeilingOvercast 100 ft

Temperature / Dew Point28 C / 28 C

Altimeter29.00 inHg

Observation Time15:28

Weather SourcePILO

500 – Data service is offline

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November 7, 1986 · Bell 206L-3 · N3889S

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