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Casualties unknown

Helicopter Rotor Mesh at Company Heliport (N444CR)

Tusayan, AZ, US

On August 8, 1993, a Bell 206L1 (registration N444CR) operated by Papillon Airways, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Tusayan, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE PILOT OF N444CR TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE MAIN ROTOR CLEARANCE FROM N38903, AND THE OPERATOR'S FAILURE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE OR RECOMMENDED SAFE HELIPAD DIMENSIONS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

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

During hover taxi at a company heliport, N444CR's main rotor contacted the stationary N38903's rotor. Pilot cited a wind gust, but no unusual weather was reported. Helipad spacing was below recommended minimum.

Incident

A rotor mesh occurred between two company helicopters at a company heliport. N444CR, having completed a tour flight, was cleared by the company control tower to hover taxi past N38903, which was holding with rotors at maximum RPM and flat pitch. The pilot of N444CR stated that when he was abeam of N38903, a gust of wind caught him, causing the main rotors to mesh.

Weather and Heliport Conditions

No unusual weather phenomena was reported by the closest official weather station or by other tour pilots at the heliport. The heliport operated five helipads, each with less than the FAA recommended minimum safe dimensions between neighboring pads. The taxi route for N444CR was between a chain link fence and the pad where N38903 was holding.

Measurements

Measurements showed that N444CR had a 7-foot clearance between its main rotor and both the fence and N38903.

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 8 Aug 1993 Bell 206L1 accident near Tusayan, AZ?

During hover taxi at a company heliport, N444CR's main rotor contacted the stationary N38903's rotor. Pilot cited a wind gust, but no unusual weather was reported. Helipad spacing was below recommended minimum.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 8 Aug 1993 involved a Bell 206L1, registration N444CR, operated by Papillon Airways, Inc., at Tusayan, AZ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

FAILURE OF THE PILOT OF N444CR TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE MAIN ROTOR CLEARANCE FROM N38903, AND THE OPERATOR'S FAILURE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE OR RECOMMENDED SAFE HELIPAD DIMENSIONS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF VISUAL REFERENCE TO THE ROTATING BLADES OF THE PARKED HELICOPTER, N38903.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X13164. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.