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NTSB Report

September 9, 2008 · Bell 206B · N206WA

Eutaw, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 9, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Eutaw, AL
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N206WA
Operator
Chem Air
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC08CA309

The pilot landed the Bell 206B helicopter and was preparing for the ninth aerial agricultural application flight of the day. Ground personnel added fuel and chemical to the helicopter in preparation for the flight. The normal process for refueling was for one person to be in the fuel truck and one person on the ground near the helicopter. When the fuel tank was full, the person at the helicopter gives a "thumbs up" to the person in the truck, who turns off the valve. After disconnecting the hose from the helicopter, the person at the helicopter gives another "thumbs up" to the pilot, and the pilot should then verify the hose has been disconnected from the helicopter. When the helicopter requires the loading of both chemical and fuel, the number of hand signals doubles. During the accident sequence, the pilot saw the ground person give a "thumbs up" and turn away from the helicopter. He assumed the hose had been disconnected, but did not visually verify that it had. As he lifted the helicopter to a hover, it pitched down, rolled to the right, and contacted the ground, substantially damaging the fuselage and tail boom. The person on the ground reported he "mistakenly gave the all clear signal" before the hose was disconnected.

NTSB Probable Cause

Personnel issues-Task performance-Communication (personnel)-Accuracy of communication-Ground crew

Full Narrative

The pilot landed the Bell 206B helicopter, and was preparing for the ninth aerial agricultural application flight of the day. Ground personnel added fuel and chemical to the helicopter, in preparation for the flight. The normal process for refueling was for one person to be in the fuel truck and one person on the ground near the helicopter. When the fuel tank was full, the person at the helicopter gives a "thumbs up" to the person in the truck, who turns off the valve. After disconnecting the hose from the helicopter, the person at the helicopter gives another "thumbs up" to the pilot, and the pilot should then verify the hose has been disconnected from the helicopter. When the helicopter requires the loading of both chemical and fuel, the number of hand signals doubles. During the accident sequence, the pilot saw the ground person give a "thumbs up" and turn away from the helicopter. He assumed the hose had been disconnected, but did not visually verify that it had. As he lifted the helicopter to a hover, it pitched down, rolled to the right, and contacted the ground, substantially damaging the fuselage and tail boom. The person on the ground reported he "mistakenly gave the all clear signal" before the hose was disconnected.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:10 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN206WA
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorChem Air
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 62 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility9 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data