On June 20, 1999, a Beech B19 (registration N282L) was involved in an aviation accident near Taylor, MO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the airplane pilot's and the helicopter pilot's failure to maintain visual clearance from each other while in the traffic pattern. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During approach, an airplane pilot heard noise and saw a helicopter; left aileron damaged. Helicopter pilot felt bump, thought bird strike. Both landed safely; examinations found no anomalies.
Incident Overview
The pilot of an airplane reported that while in the traffic pattern, turning from base leg to final, he heard a noise and felt something. He looked to his left and saw a small helicopter flying below him at his 10 o'clock position. He then observed that the airplane's left aileron was damaged. The pilot stated that both his airplane and the helicopter appeared to be under control.
Pilot Reports
The helicopter pilot reported that he was coming around for an approach pattern. He had heard the airplane pilot over the radio and believed the airplane was already on the ground. While on final for the runway, he felt a bump in the airframe. Thinking he had struck a bird, the pilot rapidly descended and landed. The helicopter pilot said he never saw the airplane.
Aftermath
Both the airplane and the helicopter landed without further incident. Examinations of both aircraft revealed no anomalies. No additional details about the aircraft types, registrations, or locations were provided.