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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

October 13, 2010 · Bell 206B · N499BH

Newton, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 13, 2010
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Location
Newton, TX
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N499BH
Operator
Heartland Helicopter Leasing
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN11LA023

The pilot landed the agricultural helicopter on a truck and remained inside the cockpit while a ground crew added chemical and fuel. After mistakenly believing that a ground crew member had signaled that it was safe to depart, the pilot lifted the helicopter off the truck only to realize that the fuel hose was still attached. The helicopter rolled to the right and off the truck. A main rotor blade impacted the ground and one of the ground crew members. The helicopter came to rest on its right side and the pilot was able to exit unassisted. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact malfunctions or failure with the helicopter’s flight controls or engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s attempted takeoff with the fuel hose attached to the helicopter and the pilot and ground crew’s failure to accurately communicate.

Full Narrative

On October 13, 2010, about 0800 central daylight time, a single-engine Bell 206B helicopter, N499BH, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff near Newton, Texas. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; however, a ground crew member sustained serious injuries. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Heartland Helicopters Leasing Inc., of Fort Worth, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. According to the pilot, he had landed on a loader truck and remained in the agricultural helicopter while a ground crew added chemical and fuel. After mistakenly thinking that a ground crew member had signaled that it was safe to depart, the pilot lifted the helicopter off the truck only to find that the fuel hose was still attached. The helicopter rolled over to the right and the main rotor blade impacted the ground and one of the ground crew members. The helicopter came to rest on its right side and the pilot was able to exit unassisted. The ground crew member was airlifted to a hospital. The pilot later reported that there were no malfunctions or failure with the helicopter’s flight controls or engine.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN499BH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHeartland Helicopter Leasing
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250 · Turboshaft · 400
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 55
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time12:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data