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NTSB Report

June 20, 2007 · Bell BH206B-3 · N196TV

Sand Springs, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 20, 2007
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Sand Springs, OK
Aircraft
Bell BH206B-3
Tail Number
N196TV
Operator
Griffin Capital
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DFW07CA143

The 3,354-hour commercial helicopter pilot reported that a main rotor blade collided with a satellite dish that was mounted atop the satellite truck from a television station. The pilot reported that the local flight originated at the home base airport about 15 minutes earlier. The pilot picked-up a camera operator at the requested site. The camera man boarded the helicopter and was seated on the right rear seat. The purpose of the flight was to film a television commercial for the television station showing the helicopter and the satellite truck working together as a news gathering team. The helicopter was reported to have made a series of low passes over the satellite truck. A ground crew was located nearby to film the flybys by the helicopter. The helicopter was reported to have pitched-up sharply after the main rotor came in contact with the satellite dish. The helicopter subsequently impacted the ground in a right skid-low attitude and came to rest on it's right-side. The main rotor system and the tail boom separated from the airframe during the impact sequence. There was no fire. The pilot sustained minor injuries and the cameraman was uninjured. Both occupants were able to egress the helicopter unassisted. Weather at the airport, 53 minutes after the accident, was reported as winds from 090 degrees at 10 knots, visibility 10 statute miles with light rain, temperature 25 degrees Celsius, dew point 19 degrees Celsius, and altimeter 30.14 inches of Mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with ground obstacles, which resulted in a blade strike. A contributing factor was the low altitude selected by the pilot.

Full Narrative

The 3,354-hour commercial helicopter pilot reported that a main rotor blade collided with a satellite dish that was mounted atop the satellite truck from a television station. The pilot reported that the local flight originated at the home base airport about 15 minutes earlier. The pilot picked-up a camera operator at the requested site. The camera man boarded the helicopter and was seated on the right rear seat. The purpose of the flight was to film a television commercial for the television station showing the helicopter and the satellite truck working together as a news gathering team. The helicopter was reported to have made a series of low passes over the satellite truck. A ground crew was located nearby to film the flybys by the helicopter. The helicopter was reported to have pitched-up sharply after the main rotor came in contact with the satellite dish. The helicopter subsequently impacted the ground in a right skid-low attitude and came to rest on it's right-side. The main rotor system and the tail boom separated from the airframe during the impact sequence. There was no fire. The pilot sustained minor injuries and the cameraman was uninjured. Both occupants were able to egress the helicopter unassisted. Weather at the airport, 53 minutes after the accident, was reported as winds from 090 degrees at 10 knots, visibility 10 statute miles with light rain, temperature 25 degrees Celsius, dew point 19 degrees Celsius, and altimeter 30.14 inches of Mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 CDT
Nearest AirportWilliam R. Pogue Muni (0nm)
Runway17
Runway Length5800 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell BH206B-3
Tail NumberN196TV
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorGriffin Capital
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.13 inHg
Observation Time17:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data