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Tail Rotor Contact During Air Taxi Leads to Hard Landing (N38EA)

Stoneyford, CA, US

On June 17, 1993, a Bell 206B3 (registration N38EA) operated by Smith Helicopters, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Stoneyford, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions during a hover operation. A factor in the accident was the high density altitude and the gusting, variable wind conditions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During air taxi in a mountain landing zone, a gust of wind caused the tail rotor to contact rising ground, leading to loss of yaw control and a hard landing into a creek, buckling the boom and damaging the skid attach structure.

Incident Overview

A helicopter pilot reported that while operating in a mountain landing zone, a gust of wind caused the tail rotor to strike a rise in the ground. The event occurred as the pilot was air taxiing to a point for cargo unloading.

Sequence of Events

The pilot had established a hover and was in the process of air taxiing to a designated unloading area. During this maneuver, a gust of wind buffeted the helicopter, resulting in the tail rotor contacting elevated terrain. Subsequently, the pilot lost all directional yaw control, and the helicopter settled hard into a creek.

Damage

The hard landing resulted in a buckle to the tail boom and damage to the internal skid attach structure.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 Jun 1993 Bell 206B3 accident near Stoneyford, CA?

During air taxi in a mountain landing zone, a gust of wind caused the tail rotor to contact rising ground, leading to loss of yaw control and a hard landing into a creek, buckling the boom and damaging the skid attach structure.

Were there any fatalities in the 17 Jun 1993 Bell 206B3 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 Jun 1993 involved a Bell 206B3, registration N38EA, operated by Smith Helicopters, Inc., at Stoneyford, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions during a hover operation. A factor in the accident was the high density altitude and the gusting, variable wind conditions.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X12655. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.