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February 2, 2017 · Bell Helicopter Textron 206 L1 · N519EH

Carson City, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 2, 2017
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Carson City, NV
Aircraft
Bell Helicopter Textron 206 L1 (1980)
Tail Number
N519EH
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA17CA132

The flight instructor on the controls of the high skid-equipped-landing-gear helicopter reported that he was the pilot-in-command (PIC). The PIC reported that he and another flight instructor were performing simulated emergency procedures during the flight. He reported that he attempted to demonstrate a simulated fixed-pitch (right stuck antitorque pedal) emergency procedure. He reported that, during the maneuver, the nose of the helicopter was about 40° nose right of centerline. He reduced the throttle, and the nose corrected to about 20° nose right of centerline. The helicopter touched down on taxiway delta with minimal forward airspeed, and it then bounced about 5 ft above the ground and yawed right about 1 3/4 turns. The helicopter touched down a second time about 65 ft south of the taxiway centerline and rolled onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the firewall, main rotor drive system, and tail rotor drive system. A METAR at the time of the accident reported that the wind was from 110° at 08 kts. The flight instructor seated in the right seat reported that the wind at the time of the accident was from 090° at 08 kts. When the PIC was asked by the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge if he placed the collective in the full-down position after touchdown or if he increased the collective after the initial touchdown, he responded that he could not remember. When asked if he applied full left pedal to combat the right yaw, he said that he did not because the event happened quickly. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Helicopter Flying Handbook (FAA-8083-21A), the Helicopter Instructor's Flying Handbook (FAA-8083-4), and Advisory Circular (AC) 90-95 "Unanticipated Rapid Right Yaw in Helicopters," the loss of tail rotor effectiveness is a critical, low-speed aerodynamic flight characteristic that can result in an uncommanded rapid yaw rate that does not subside of its own accord and, if not corrected, can result in the loss of aircraft control. AC 90-95, Section 7.d.3. (page 7), defines flight characteristics and wind azimuths and states that the tail rotor vortex ring state occurs when the wind is from 210° to 330°. 1. Winds within this region will result in the development of the vortex ring state of the tail rotor. AC 90-95, Section 10, "Recommended Recovery Techniques," (page 8), states: a. If a sudden unanticipated right yaw occurs, the pilot should perform the following: (1) Apply full left pedal. Simultaneously, move cyclic forward to increase speed. If altitude permits, reduce power. (2) As recovery is effected, adjust controls for normal forward flight. b. Collective pitch reduction will aid in arresting the yaw rate but may cause an increase in the rate of descent. Any large, rapid increase in collective to prevent ground or obstacle contact may further increase the yaw rate and decrease rotor rpm. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot-in-command’s delayed remedial action to arrest the right yaw after the bounced landing while operating in a flight regime conducive to the loss of tail rotor effectiveness, which resulted in a roll-over.

Full Narrative

The flight instructor on the controls of the high skid-equipped landing gear helicopter reported that he was the pilot in command (PIC). The PIC reported that he and another flight instructor were performing simulated emergency procedures during the flight. He reported that he attempted to demonstrate a simulated fixed pitch (right stuck anti-torque pedal) emergency procedure. He reported that during the maneuver the nose of the helicopter was about 40° nose right of centerline. He reduced the throttle and the nose corrected to about 20° nose right of centerline. The helicopter touched down on taxiway delta with minimal forward airspeed, and the aircraft bounced about 5 ft above the ground and yawed right about 1 ¾ turns. The helicopter touched down a second time about 65 ft south of the taxiway centerline and rolled onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the firewall, main rotor drive system and tail rotor drive system. The Meteorological Aerodrome Report for the airport which the accident occurred and at the time the accident occurred, identified that the wind was out of the 110° at 08 kts. The flight instructor seated in the right seat, reported that the wind at the time of the accident was out of 090° at 08 kts. When the PIC was asked by the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC); was the collective placed in the full down position after touchdown, he could not remember. When asked if he increased the collective after the initial helicopter touchdown; he could not remember. When asked if he applied full left pedal to combat the right yaw, he said that he did not because the event happened quickly. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Helicopter Flying Handbook (FAA-8083-21A) and The Helicopter Instructors Flying Handbook (FAA-8083-4) and Advisory Circular (AC) 90-95 Unanticipated rapid right yaw; Loss of Tail Rotor Effectiveness (LTE) is a critical; low-speed aerodynamic flight characteristic which can result in an uncommanded rapid yaw rate which does not subside of its own accord and, if not corrected, can result in the loss of aircraft control. AC 90-95 Section 7. d. 3. (page 7) defines Flight Characteristics and wind azimuths: Tail rotor vortex ring state occurs when the wind is out of (210° to 330°). 1. Winds within this region will result in the development of the vortex ring state of the tail rotor. AC 90-95, Section 10. a. 1-2 (page 8) is titled Recommended Recovery Techniques and states: a. If a sudden unanticipated right yaw occurs, the pilot should perform the following: (1) Apply full left pedal. Simultaneously, move cyclic forward to increase speed. If altitude permits, reduce power. (2) As recovery is effected, adjust controls for normal forward flight. b. Collective pitch reduction will aid in arresting the yaw rate but may cause an increase in the rate of descent. Any large, rapid increase in collective to prevent ground or obstacle contact may further increase the yaw rate and decrease rotor rpm. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 PST
Nearest AirportCARSON (0nm SE)
Runway09
Runway Length6101 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell Helicopter Textron 206 L1
Tail NumberN519EH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls Royce · 250-C30P · Turboshaft · 650
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class · Minor
Crew 2Age 62 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 28 C
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time00:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data