Summary
On July 21, 1995, a Bell 206B-3 (N58129) was involved in an incident near Bettles, AK. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ENSURING THE SLING CABLE WAS FREE OF THE SKID BEFORE LIFTING OFF INTO A HOVER, WHICH ALLOWED THE CABLE TO BECOME WRAPPED (ENTANGLED) AROUND THE SKID.
On July 20, 1995, at 1700 Alaska daylight time, a skid equipped, Bell 206 B-3 helicopter, N58129, registered to and operated by Tundra Helicopters of Fairbanks, Alaska, struck a skid on the ground while attempting to lift a sling load and landed on the external load, at Bettles, Alaska. The external load flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 133, was departing Bettles for a field mining site in the local area. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airline transport certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The helicopter received substantial damage.
According to the statement provided by the pilot in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he was attempting to lift an external load with the helicopter.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC95LA112. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N58129.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ENSURING THE SLING CABLE WAS FREE OF THE SKID BEFORE LIFTING OFF INTO A HOVER, WHICH ALLOWED THE CABLE TO BECOME WRAPPED (ENTANGLED) AROUND THE SKID.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On July 20, 1995, at 1700 Alaska daylight time, a skid equipped, Bell 206 B-3 helicopter, N58129, registered to and operated by Tundra Helicopters of Fairbanks, Alaska, struck a skid on the ground while attempting to lift a sling load and landed on the external load, at Bettles, Alaska. The external load flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 133, was departing Bettles for a field mining site in the local area. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airline transport certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The helicopter received substantial damage.
According to the statement provided by the pilot in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he was attempting to lift an external load with the helicopter. As he raised the helicopter to a hover, the sling load lift cable became wrapped around the right rear skid. He attempted to release the external load when the cyclic control travel reached the lateral stop. The load would not jettison. He then landed the helicopter on the external load.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC95LA112