Summary
On September 29, 1993, a Bell 206B (N39049) was involved in an incident near Wht Sands Mr, NM. All 3 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO LAND AN ADEQUATE DISTANCE AWAY FROM THE UNSECURED PARACHUTE.
On September 28, 1993, at approximately 1800 mountain daylight time, a Bell 206B, N39049, was substantially damaged when a parachute was ingested through the main rotor and tail rotor systems at a remote site on White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The aircraft, flown by a commercial pilot, was on a local public use flight. Company flight following was being used and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Neither the pilot, nor the two passengers were injured.
The aircraft was operating out of Condron Army Air Field and the purpose of the mission was to locate and retrieve an expended missile. The pilot stated that when they spotted the missile he landed about 25 feet from it, on the downwind side.
This incident is documented in NTSB report FTW93GA269. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N39049.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO LAND AN ADEQUATE DISTANCE AWAY FROM THE UNSECURED PARACHUTE.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On September 28, 1993, at approximately 1800 mountain daylight time, a Bell 206B, N39049, was substantially damaged when a parachute was ingested through the main rotor and tail rotor systems at a remote site on White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The aircraft, flown by a commercial pilot, was on a local public use flight. Company flight following was being used and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Neither the pilot, nor the two passengers were injured.
The aircraft was operating out of Condron Army Air Field and the purpose of the mission was to locate and retrieve an expended missile. The pilot stated that when they spotted the missile he landed about 25 feet from it, on the downwind side. He further stated that shortly after he reduced throttle to flight idle, the descent parachute, which had been draped over the missile, inflated, blew toward the aircraft, and was ingested into the rotor systems.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW93GA269