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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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June 21, 2011 · Bell 212 · N49678

Mesa, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 21, 2011
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Mesa, AZ
Aircraft
Bell 212
Tail Number
N49678
Operator
Boeing
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
WPR11LA277

The pilot reported that, after he established the helicopter in a stabilized hover about 3 feet above the ground with the crew chief following on the controls with him, the helicopter rapidly rolled right. The pilot was unable to correct the roll, and the helicopter subsequently impacted the ground and came to rest on its right side. The helicopter's fuselage sustained substantial damage, and the cockpit area was consumed by postimpact fire. Ground scars about 20 feet behind the main wreckage revealed that the tail section contacted the ground first. The pilot reported and a postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On June 21, 2011, about 0634 mountain standard time (MST), a Bell 212, N49678, experienced a loss of control and subsequent rollover near Falcon Field Airport (FFZ), Mesa, Arizona. The helicopter was operated by The Boeing Company under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a proficiency flight. The company test pilot/certified flight instructor pilot and crew chief/mechanic received serious injuries, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage from the postimpact fire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight that departed Boeing Heliport (AZ81) at 0610. In the pilot's written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), he stated that he was seated in the right seat, and the mechanic was seated in the left seat. The pilot had successfully completed a practice approach, vertical landing, and takeoff to a low mesa about a mile northeast of Red Mountain. He then proceeded to an area known as "the tires" on the south side of Sawick Mountain. The pilot recalled performing a left 180-degree normal approach, and an uneventful, no-hover vertical landing. As he initiated a lift off and established a stabilized 3-foot hover, the pilot stated that the helicopter rolled rapidly to the right, and he was unable to stop the roll. The helicopter impacted the ground and erupted into flames. The pilot also reported that he had an airline transport pilot certificate, and also held a flight instructor certificate. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) along with parties to the investigation, The Boeing Company, and Bell Helicopter, responded to the accident site. According to the FAA inspector, the accident site was located on the Salt River Indian Reservation about 10 miles north of FFZ. The helicopter had rolled onto its right side and a post-crash fire consumed the cockpit area. Investigators further reported several ground scars were near the wreckage. One ground scar was a linear scar about 20-feet behind the main wreckage and identified as the first point of contact. The ground scar was about 3 to 4 feet in length and contained green primer paint chips consistent with the paint on the tail stinger and yellow paint chips, consistent with the paint on the tail rotor blade tip. A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter. The Boeing Company's interview with the pilot revealed that pilot was on the controls and the crew chief was following through with him at the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:34 MST
Nearest Airport5nm
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 212
Tail NumberN49678
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBoeing
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6T-3 · Turboshaft · 800 | P&W · PT6T-3 · Turboshaft · 800
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 63 · Second Class · Serious
Crew 2Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 8 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point28 C
Altimeter29.76 inHg
Observation Time13:36
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data