N38EA

On June 17, 1993, at about 1130 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206B3 helicopter, N38EA, damaged the tailboom and skid support structure during a taxi operation following landing at a remote mountain landing site near Stoneyford, California. The aircraft was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations by Smith Helicopters of Ukiah, California, and was on an on demand air taxi cargo flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a company VFR flight plan was filed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated from a second remote landing area near the accident site on the day of the mishap at about 1120 hours.

In his written report the pilot said that he had established a hover in a mountain landing zone and was in the process of air taxiing to a point where the cargo could be unloaded. The pilot said that a gust of wind buffeted the helicopter and the tail rotor contacted a rise in the ground. The pilot said he then lost all yaw directional control and the helicopter settled hard into a creek, resulting in a buckle to the boom and damage to the internal skid attach structure.