On November 1, 1996, a Bell 206B (registration N90144) was involved in an aviation accident near Supai, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: improper routing of the external cargo hoist cable (over helicopter skid), which resulted in lateral imbalance and roll-over of the helicopter, as weight on the cable became effective. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A helicopter rolled and struck the ground with its main rotor blades after the external load cable draped over a skid during a salt supply lift. The pilot released the load electrically, but impact occurred within four seconds.
Incident Details
The helicopter was engaged in an external lift operation, transporting salt supplies to a storage location. While lifting to a hover over a loaded cargo net, the pilot was unaware that the external load cable had become draped over one of the helicopter's skids. As the cable took the strain of the load, the helicopter began to roll. The roll exceeded the lateral control limits of the aircraft.
Pilot Actions
The pilot promptly activated an electrical switch to release the load. However, before control of the helicopter could be regained, the aircraft contacted the ground in a nose-low attitude. The main rotor blades then struck the ground. The pilot reported that the time from initial down-force on the skid until the impact was less than four seconds. He also stated that no mechanical malfunction occurred with the helicopter.
What happened in the 1 Nov 1996 Bell 206B accident near Supai, AZ?
A helicopter rolled and struck the ground with its main rotor blades after the external load cable draped over a skid during a salt supply lift. The pilot released the load electrically, but impact occurred within four seconds.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 1 Nov 1996 involved a Bell 206B, registration N90144, at Supai, AZ.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
improper routing of the external cargo hoist cable (over helicopter skid), which resulted in lateral imbalance and roll-over of the helicopter, as weight on the cable became effective.
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