N9264G

On September 23, 1997, at 1010 central daylight time, a Bell 206-L4 helicopter, N9264G, registered to Textron Financial Corporation and operated by Bell Helicopter Textron, was substantially damaged during landing to the south at the BHT2 Training Strip, Hurst, Texas. The airline transport rated flight instructor and the commercial pilot receiving instruction, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The flight originated from the Bell Helicopter Plant 8 Heliport, about 10 minutes before the accident.

According to the flight instructor, the student was performing straight-in autorotations to the south. While the student was terminating a straight-in autorotation, he initiated a flare and applied initial collective pitch to slow the helicopter's rate-of-closure. The aircraft touched down "firm" with a "slight nose high attitude," and then a strong short shudder was felt as the aircraft slid to a stop within one helicopter length. The main rotor RPM was between 65 to 70 percent.

The flight instructor added that after the landing, he examined the tailboom for damage. No damage was found and the training flight was continued. The flight instructor stated that "we were at the end of the period and left the practice area for the hill top [Bell Helicopter Plant 8 Heliport], did 4 slope operations and then parked the helicopter." During the post flight inspection of the helicopter, wrinkles were found on the sides of the tailboom.

The winds were reported from 180 degrees at 10 knots, and the density altitude was calculated at 2,401 feet.