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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

September 12, 2019 · Bell 206 B · N100CK

Hill City, SD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 12, 2019
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Hill City, SD
Aircraft
Bell 206 B (2007)
Tail Number
N100CK
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN19LA318

The pilot descended the helicopter to land on a field in a bowl-shaped area with prevailing high winds. The pilot reported that the engine stopped producing power during the approach when the helicopter was too low to prevent a hard landing. The helicopter descended, spun, and landed hard, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the airframe and test run of the engine did not reveal any anomalies which would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter. Testing of the engine could not replicate a loss of engine power. The helicopter was landing at high altitude, with strong winds. It could not be determined if these factors adversely impacted the helicopter’s power available during the landing leading to conditions consistent with a loss of engine performance. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined because an examination and engine runs did not reveal any anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine (turbine/turboprop)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined

Full Narrative

On September 12, 2019, about 1410 mountain daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N100CK, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Hill City, South Dakota. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the wind was blowing about 30 to 40 mph in the vicinity of the landing zone, which was a field in a bowl-shaped area above 5,000 ft mean sea level. He conducted an approach into the wind pointing generally northwest. The pilot report that when the helicopter was between 20 to 50 ft above the ground, the engine stopped producing power and he received low rotor rpm and engine out warnings. The helicopter descended, spun two times, landed hard, and rolled onto its side. Substantial damage was sustained to the fuselage and tail boom. About 50 gallons of fuel were extracted from the fuel tank during recovery of the helicopter. Postrecovery airframe and engine examinations did not reveal any anomalies. The engine was removed from the airframe and a test run was performed. The engine successfully completed idle, flight-idle, max-continuous power, take-off, and “wave-off” performance runs. No anomalies were detected which would have precluded normal operation of the engine.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:10 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206 B
Tail NumberN100CK
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce (Allison) · 350-C20 · Turboshaft · 317
Seats4 + 1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 18 kt, gusting 31 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 39 C
Altimeter30.13 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data