N96NW

On April 7, 2006, approximately 1000 Pacific daylight time, a Bell helicopter 206B, N96NW, sustained substantial damage after impacting mountainous terrain while conducting low level deer capture operations near Sprague, Washington. The aircraft was registered to Olympic Jet Incorporated, of Olympia, Washington, and operated by Northwest Helicopters, also of Olympia. The certificated commercial pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local Public Use flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight departed a staging area near Sprague, approximately 0915.

According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report form (NTSB form 6120.1), the 25,000 hour pilot reported that while conducting deer capture operations, and during a pull-up with the aircraft in a tail low flare maneuver, the tail rotor blades struck a hillside. The pilot stated that [after impact] the helicopter rotated 270 degrees to the right before contacting the ground, which resulted in the aircraft rolling over onto its left side. There was no post crash fire. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter prior to or during the flight.

A Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector, who traveled to the accident site, reported that the main rotor blades had impacted a rock outcropping as the helicopter was maneuvering around a knoll. The inspector reported that damage to the helicopter included the mast separating, the engine partially separating, and the tail boom being twisted and bent.

At 0956, the automated weather reporting facility at Felts Field (GEG), Spokane, Washington, located approximately 30 nautical miles northeast of the accident site, reported wind 060 degrees at 9 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 10,000 feet, broken clouds at 20,000 feet, temperature 8 degrees C, dew point 2 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.07 inches of Mercury.