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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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June 24, 2013 · Bell 206B · N407FK

Royal City, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 24, 2013
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Royal City, WA
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N407FK
Operator
Wilbur-Ellis
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR13LA287

The pilot reported that he was drying a cherry tree orchard covered in netting material. During a low pass, he noted that the helicopter's skid was closer to the netting than he had anticipated, and, before he could adjust, the skid hooked the netting. The pilot was unable to maintain control as the helicopter rolled, and it subsequently struck the ground inverted. The orchard was sloped, which likely made it difficult for the pilot to adequately judge the helicopter's height above the trees. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from netting material during a low pass over trees, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.

Full Narrative

On June 24, 2013, about 0740 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N407FK, sustained substantial damage after it became entangled in netting during cherry tree drying operations near Royal City, Washington. The pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The helicopter was registered to Wilber-Ellis Company, and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which originated from Royal City, Washington. No flight plan was filed for the local flight. The pilot reported that he was drying a cherry tree field, which was covered in a netting material, in a south to north pattern. The northern end of the field was a higher elevation than the southern end. The pilot was flying as close as he could to the cherry trees and he observed that the helicopter's skid was closer to the netting than anticipated. Before he could adjust, the skid hooked the netting; subsequently, the helicopter rolled, and struck the ground inverted. The pilot reported that he felt fatigued during the accident flight. He also reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operations.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:40 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN407FK
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilbur-Ellis
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20J · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 57
Altimeter29.62 inHg
Observation Time14:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data