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Casualties unknown

2007-06-26: Bell 206B (N96ND) — Grand Forks, ND

Grand Forks, ND, US

On June 26, 2007, a Bell 206B (registration N96ND) was involved in an aviation accident near Grand Forks, ND. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The certified flight instructor's inadequate compensation for the gusting wind conditions and failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a hover for takeoff. A factor contributing to the accident was the gusting wind conditions. 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.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A helicopter rolled onto its side after a gust of wind caused it to pitch up and drift rearward during liftoff, damaging the rotor blades, cabin, and landing skids.

Incident Overview

A student pilot had hover taxied a helicopter from the ramp to a sod area and landed. A certified flight instructor (CFI) then took control of the helicopter. As the CFI lifted off the ground, a gust of wind caused the nose to pitch up and the helicopter drifted rearward. The right landing skid contacted the ground, and the helicopter subsequently rolled onto its side.

Damage

The accident resulted in damage to both the main and tail rotor blades, the cabin, and the landing gear skids.

Examination

An examination of the helicopter revealed no pre-impact anomalies.

Wind Conditions

Wind conditions reported near the time of the accident were: wind 270 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 22 knots.

Related events

Same aircraft family

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20070712X00922. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.