8 Jun 2008: Bell 206L-4 — Philadelphia Police Department

8 Jun 2008: Bell 206L-4 — Philadelphia Police Department

No fatalities • Philadelphia, PA, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during hover, which resulted in an inadvertent impact with the ground.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The pilot of the Bell 206L-4 helicopter had completed a simulated engine failure, and was bringing the helicopter to a hover over a grass area, when it impacted the ground from an altitude of approximately 5 feet. The helicopter's tail boom, aft of its attach point was wrinkled, and the tail boom sagged. The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical problems with the helicopter. He reported 2,029 hours of total flight experience, which included 1,929 hours in rotorcraft, all in the same make and model as the accident helicopter. Winds reported at the airport, about the time of the accident, were variable at 7 knots.

Contributing factors

  • cause Pilot

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 000/07kt, vis 8sm

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