11 Jul 2009: BELL 206B — FARM & FOREST HELICOPTER SERVICE INC

11 Jul 2009: BELL 206B — FARM & FOREST HELICOPTER SERVICE INC

No fatalities • Burlington, WA, United States

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter while attempting to lift off from a trailer. The helicopter subsequently impacted the ground and rolled over.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was returning from an aerial application flight in the local area. As he neared the flatbed trailer that he intended to utilize as his landing zone, he noticed that there was a right crosswind of about 5 knots. Just prior to touchdown he felt the helicopter move to the left and subsequently contact the trailer. He attempted to lift off from the trailer by adding right cyclic and increasing the collective. The helicopter rolled to the right, resulting in the main rotor blades contacting the ground. The main rotor blades then impacted the tail boom resulting in its separation from the fuselage. The helicopter came to rest on its right side in a nose high attitude.

Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor assembly, tail rotor assembly, and tail boom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter.

Contributing factors

  • cause Performance/control parameters — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Pilot

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 300/08kt, vis 10sm

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