2009 Bell 206-L4 Helicopter Crash Near Moundridge, Kansas (N863H)

Accident Overview and Flight Details On March 8, 2009, at approximately 1426 central daylight time, a Bell 206-L4 helicopter, registration N863H, was substantially damaged after impacting terrain near Moundridge, Kansas. The aircraft was owned and operated by Hillcrest Aircraft Company of Lewiston, Idaho. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight was a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight from Searle Field Airport (KOGA) in Ogallala, Nebraska, to Newton City/County Airport (KEWK) in Newton, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter departed KOGA at 1204 CDT. The aircraft was equipped with a Sky Connect system that transmitted position reports every two minutes. The final transmission occurred at 1424 CDT, placing the helicopter heading 115 degrees at 113 knots and an altitude of 1,749 feet mean sea level, approximately 1.38 nautical miles northwest of the accident site. A nearby resident reported hearing the engine rev to high RPM twice, followed by two to three thumping sounds. No eyewitnesses to the impact were reported.