On August 16, 2004, a Bell 206B (registration N529RS) was involved in an aviation accident near Kahului, HI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a dynamic rollover. Contributing factors were the direct crosswind and his lack of total experience in the accident helicopter make and model. 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 experienced a dynamic rollover to the right during takeoff in gusty crosswinds. The left skid rose while the right remained on the helipad. The pilot had 6.6 hours on type.
Accident Overview
During an attempted takeoff in gusty crosswinds, a helicopter experienced a dynamic rollover to the right. The pilot reported the wind was a direct left crosswind at 17 knots with gusts to 21 knots. While applying collective input for takeoff, the left skid began to rise. The pilot attempted to counter this by applying left pedal and cyclic input, but the helicopter continued rolling to the right. Witnesses stated that the right skid never separated from the helipad.
Pilot Information
The commercial pilot had accumulated a total of 6.6 hours in the accident helicopter make and model.
Pilot Statement
The pilot did not report any anomalies with the helicopter that would have contributed to the accident.