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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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NTSB Report

March 4, 2006 · Bell 206B · N6BR

Naples, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 4, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Naples, FL
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N6BR
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA06LA061

The pilot said that while in cruise flight he noted a reduction in the N2 needle, which was near 90, while the rotor needle was at 100 percent. He said he elected to make a precautionary landing in a clear area as quickly as possible, and he did so too close to a 10-foot wide irrigation ditch. He said he performed a soft landing but did not realize that the helicopter was so close to the ditch. After the helicopter sat for a while, he said that the sand in the rear must have collapsed under the helicopter's rear center of gravity because the nose of the helicopter started to rise slowly, as the helicopter started to slide backwards. According to the pilot, the tail of the helicopter struck the opposite side of the irrigation ditch and the helicopter pivoted to the right, and came to rest in the ditch, in about 15 inches of water. An FAA inspector conducted postcrash examinations of the helicopter with the assistance of representatives from Bell Helicopter Company and Rolls-Royce Engines, and no anomalies were noted with the helicopter or any of its systems.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable area to make a precautionary landing which resulted in the helicopter rolling into a ditch.

Full Narrative

On March 4, 2006, about 1230 eastern standard time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N6BR, registered to and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, rolled into a ditch in a field after an emergency landing in Naples, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot was not injured, and the helicopter incurred substantial damage. The flight originated at Wings South Airpark, Naples, Florida, the same day, about 1200. The pilot said that while in cruise flight he noted a reduction in the N2 needle, which was near 90, while the rotor needle was at 100 percent. He said he had never seen that before while in cruise flight, and it concerned him a great deal since the land over which he was going to fly had a nest of crocodiles. He said he elected to make a precautionary landing in a clear area as quickly as possible, and he did so too close to a 10-foot wide irrigation ditch. He said he performed a soft landing but did not realize that the helicopter was so close to the ditch. After the helicopter sat for a while, he said that the sand in the rear must have collapsed under the helicopter's rear center of gravity because the nose of the helicopter started to rise slowly, as the helicopter started to slide backwards. According to the pilot, the tail of the helicopter struck the opposite side of the irrigation ditch and the helicopter pivoted to the right, and came to rest in the ditch, in about 15 inches of water. An FAA inspector conducted postcrash examinations of the helicopter with the assistance of representatives from Bell Helicopter Company and Rolls-Royce Engines, and no anomalies were noted with the helicopter or any of its systems.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 EST
Nearest Airport10nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN6BR
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · 250-C26J · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 79 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time17:13
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data