Accident Summary
On June 21, 2011, at approximately 0634 mountain standard time, a Bell 212 helicopter (registration N49678) experienced a loss of control and subsequent rollover near Falcon Field Airport (FFZ) in Mesa, Arizona. The helicopter was operated by The Boeing Company under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a proficiency flight. The two occupants, a company test pilot/certified flight instructor and a crew chief/mechanic, received serious injuries. The helicopter sustained substantial damage from a postimpact fire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, which had departed Boeing Heliport (AZ81) at 0610.
Sequence of Events
According to a written statement from the pilot to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), he was seated in the right seat and the mechanic in the left seat. The pilot reported that he had successfully completed a practice approach, vertical landing, and takeoff to a low mesa about a mile northeast of Red Mountain. He then proceeded to an area known as "the tires" on the south side of Sawick Mountain. The pilot recalled performing a left 180-degree normal approach and an uneventful, no-hover vertical landing. As he initiated a lift-off and established a stabilized 3-foot hover, the helicopter rolled rapidly to the right, and he was unable to stop the roll. The helicopter impacted the ground and erupted into flames.
Investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), along with parties to the investigation including The Boeing Company and Bell Helicopter, responded to the accident site. According to the FAA inspector, the accident site was located on the Salt River Indian Reservation about 10 miles north of FFZ. The helicopter had rolled onto its right side, and a post-crash fire consumed the cockpit area.
Investigators observed several ground scars near the wreckage. One linear scar approximately 20 feet behind the main wreckage was identified as the first point of contact. This scar measured 3 to 4 feet in length and contained green primer paint chips consistent with the paint on the tail stinger and yellow paint chips consistent with the paint on the tail rotor blade tip.
Examination
A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter.
The Boeing Company's interview with the pilot revealed that the pilot was on the controls and the crew chief was following through with him at the time of the accident.