On November 1, 1999, a Bell 206B (registration N565KS) was involved in an aviation accident near Cottage Grove, MN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Undetermined. 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 crashed and burned after departing cruise flight. Radar showed a heading of 103°, altitude 1,300 ft MSL, ground speed 116 knots. Witnesses reported a nose dive. Damage consistent with tail rotor strike in nose-high clockwise rotation. Engine and transmission had no anomalies.
Accident Details
The helicopter impacted terrain and was consumed by fire following a departure from cruise flight. Radar data indicated that the helicopter was proceeding on a heading of 103 degrees at an altitude of 1,300 feet msl and ground speed of 116 knots. Winds were from 280 degrees at 16 knots with gusts of 25 knots. Witnesses reported that the helicopter was proceeding eastbound at a low altitude and "made a nose dive to the ground."
Damage Examination
The main rotor blade and tail rotor assembly sustained damage consistent with a tail rotor strike in a nose high clockwise rotation. Examination of the engine and transmission did not reveal any mechanical anomalies.