On October 18, 1999, a Bell 206-B3 (registration N2296N) was involved in an aviation accident near Soda Springs, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The landing gear skid either stuck to the ground or hooked on an object, resulting in a dynamic rollover. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter performing external load transport for an electric utility company experienced a dynamic rollover while lifting to hover taxi after being signaled to reposition.
Incident Overview
A helicopter was engaged in external load transport for an electric utility company project. After completing the external load operation, the pilot released the external load apparatus and landed. Before the engine was shut down, a ground crewman signaled the pilot to reposition the helicopter a short distance away.
Dynamic Rollover
While lifting to hover taxi, the landing gear skid either stuck to the ground or hooked on an object, and a dynamic rollover resulted.
Findings
The investigation determined that the dynamic rollover occurred because the landing gear skid either stuck to the ground or hooked on an object during the lift-off.
Probable cause
The landing gear skid either stuck to the ground or hooked on an object, resulting in a dynamic rollover.