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August 18, 2018 · Bell 206 B · N8052G

Battle Mountain, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 18, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Battle Mountain, NV
Aircraft
Bell 206 B (1989)
Tail Number
N8052G
Operator
El Aero Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
GAA18CA512

The helicopter pilot reported that, while climbing out of a canyon at 30 knots indicated airspeed, about 50 ft above ground level, he felt a "hard vibration" in the cyclic and collective controls. He then saw that the airspeed gauge was reading 0 knots and felt the helicopter being pushed down. The torque indicator rose to 120% without any cyclic or collective control input. He applied right cyclic, lowered the collective, applied right pedal to counter the torque, and turned the helicopter downslope into the wind. He applied forward cyclic to better match the downslope of the terrain and raised the collective, but the skids impacted the ground, followed by the main rotor blades. The helicopter rotated 180º to the right before coming to rest downhill on its right side. Shortly after, a postimpact fire ensued, which destroyed the helicopter. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the winds were gusting to 30 knots in the canyon and "changing direction every minute or so."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain the proper altitude and airspeed while flying in a canyon in gusting wind conditions.

Full Narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that while climbing out of a canyon at 30 knots indicated airspeed, about 50 ft above the ground, he felt a "hard vibration" in the cyclic and collective controls. He then saw that the airspeed gauge was reading zero knots and he felt the helicopter was being pushed down. The torque indicator rose to 120% without any cyclic and collective control input. He applied right cyclic, lowered the collective, applied right pedal to counter the torque, and turned the helicopter downslope and into the wind. He applied forward cyclic to better match the downslope of the terrain and raised collective, but the helicopter impacted terrain. The skids impacted the ground first followed by the main rotor blades. The helicopter rotated 180º to the right before coming to rest downhill, on its right side. Shortly after, a post impact fire ensued. The helicopter was destroyed during the postimpact fire. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the winds were gusting up to 30 knots in the canyon, "changing direction every minute or so."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206 B
Tail NumberN8052G
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorEl Aero Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls Royve · 250-C20R · Turboshaft
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 8 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point16 F
Altimeter30.22 inHg
Observation Time13:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data