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NTSB Report
August 22, 1983 · Bell 206-B3 · N3982M
Avenal, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 22, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Avenal, CA
Aircraft
Bell 206-B3
Tail Number
N3982M
Operator
Shanair
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX83LA403
THE PLT WAS DEMONSTRATING AUTOROTATIVE LANDINGS IN A HELICOPTER EQUIPPED WITH HIGH SKID LANDING GEAR. DURING HIS 4TH AUTOROTATION, HE MADE A STRAIGHT-IN APCH & TOUCHED DOWN ON LEVEL, SMOOTH TERRAIN. AS THE HELICOPTER WAS STOPPING, THE HIGH SKID ROTATED REARWARD & THE HELICOPTER PITCHED NOSE DOWN & SLAPPED THE GROUND WITH SUFFICIENT FORCED TO ACTIVATE THE ELT. AS THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN, THE TAIL BOOM ROSE & STRUCK 1 MAIN ROTOR BLADE. THE PLT STATED THAT THE HELICOPTER HAD TOUCHED DOWN SMOOTHLY IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE. HE BELIEVED THAT THE HIGH SKID NEEDED TO BE STRENGTHENED. THE CROSS TUBE ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT DIRECTLY BOLTED AT THE FUSELAGE ATTACHMENT. INSTEAD, THEY CONTAINED NIPPLES WHICH WERE DESIGNED TO RESIST ROTATION WHEN PROPERLY SECURED TO THE FUSELAGE.
Full Narrative
THE PLT WAS DEMONSTRATING AUTOROTATIVE LANDINGS IN A HELICOPTER EQUIPPED WITH HIGH SKID LANDING GEAR. DURING HIS 4TH AUTOROTATION, HE MADE A STRAIGHT-IN APCH & TOUCHED DOWN ON LEVEL, SMOOTH TERRAIN. AS THE HELICOPTER WAS STOPPING, THE HIGH SKID ROTATED REARWARD & THE HELICOPTER PITCHED NOSE DOWN & SLAPPED THE GROUND WITH SUFFICIENT FORCED TO ACTIVATE THE ELT. AS THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN, THE TAIL BOOM ROSE & STRUCK 1 MAIN ROTOR BLADE. THE PLT STATED THAT THE HELICOPTER HAD TOUCHED DOWN SMOOTHLY IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE. HE BELIEVED THAT THE HIGH SKID NEEDED TO BE STRENGTHENED. THE CROSS TUBE ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT DIRECTLY BOLTED AT THE FUSELAGE ATTACHMENT. INSTEAD, THEY CONTAINED NIPPLES WHICH WERE DESIGNED TO RESIST ROTATION WHEN PROPERLY SECURED TO THE FUSELAGE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206-B3
Tail NumberN3982M
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorShanair
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20J · Turboshaft · 317
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 35 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 8 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time10:55