N206HS

On May 20, 1994, at 1530 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206A helicopter, N206HS, collided with the ground near Ukiah, California, following a loss of control during a landing approach. The helicopter was operated by the pilot and was on a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The helicopter was consumed by a postimpact ground fire. The certificated private pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries.

The flight originated from a private helipad near Piercy, California, about 1445 hours on the day of the accident as a personal flight to a private helipad at the accident site.

In a telephone conversation, the pilot stated that he was on approach to a ridge line landing zone. He said he was passing through translational lift at 20 knots and 70 feet above ground when a gust of wind induced a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and a resultant loss of directional control. The pilot reported that the helicopter began to spin and he could not regain directional control prior to ground contact. After the impact sequence, a ground fire erupted which consumed the helicopter.

The helicopter was an early model Bell 206A and was equipped with the small tail rotor.