N909CM

On September 21, 1996, at 1616 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N909CM, operated by Jetcopters Inc. of Van Nuys, California, was substantially damaged during landing at Van Nuys. Neither the pilot nor the two passengers were injured. The traffic watch helicopter was returning to the base from an assignment at the time of the accident. The flight originated at Van Nuys at 1445.

The pilot reported to FAA inspectors that he was approaching the helipad for landing on a heading of 160 degrees. The pilot brought the helicopter to a stationary hover about 5 feet agl. The wind was 140 degrees at 10 knots. The pilot decided to do a pedal turn to the right to a heading of 250 degrees. Once the right turn was initiated, the pilot could not stop the turn with full left pedal. The pilot attempted to fly out of it into the wind without success. He then reduced power and attempted a landing while rotating to the right. The helicopter landed hard on the left skid and rolled over.