What happened
On September 3, 1996, at approximately 14:35, a BELL 206B JetRanger, registration PT-HVE, operated by Táxi Aéreo Kovacs, crashed in a rural area near Araci, Bahia. The aircraft had departed from Salvador earlier that afternoon for a cargo transport mission, intended to collect gold from mining sites.
Approximately 20 km before reaching the first scheduled destination, the pilot initiated an unplanned approach to an open field. During the final stages of this approach, the helicopter struck the ground with its tail boom, causing the aircraft to lose control. The impact was severe; the aircraft struck the ground a second time sixty meters further along, resulting in the destruction of the cabin and the main rotor. The pilot and one passenger were ejected from the aircraft and died at the scene, while a second passenger sustained serious injuries.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, the pilot's experience, and the environmental factors at the time of the accident. The aircraft was found to have been within weight limits, and all certificates of airworthiness and registration were valid. While engine instruments did not indicate any malfunctions, no conclusive mechanical tests were performed on the aircraft's systems.
Investigators noted that the pilot was highly experienced, with approximately 7,000 flight hours, and frequently flew this specific route. Meteorological conditions were favorable, with clear skies and visibility exceeding ten kilometers. However, witness reports indicated that the final approach was conducted with a tailwind and likely at an excessive speed.
Findings
- The pilot performed an unplanned landing at a location not specified in the flight plan.
- The final approach was executed with a tailwind, which can lead to errors in judging ground speed versus airspeed.
- The pilot's judgment regarding altitude and speed during the flare maneuver was incorrect, leading to the tail boom striking the terrain.
- There was evidence of a physiological factor, as the pilot reportedly suffered from a urinary health condition that limited bladder retention, potentially motivating the sudden decision to land.
- The aircraft suffered a total loss.