Summary
On March 23, 2007, a Bell 206B (N828BA) was involved in an accident near Lewes, DE. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries, with 2 people uninjured out of 4 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in an in flight collision with utility wires during takeoff, and a subsequent impact with terrain.
The pilot of a Bell 206B helicopter stated that she was conducting a charter flight. She was picking up three passengers at a housing construction site, and taking them to an airport. After the third passenger boarded, the pilot hovered the helicopter, and initiated a takeoff to the southwest over an approximate 300-foot grass area. About 50 feet agl, as the helicopter reached effective translational lift, the pilot lowered the collective and immediately saw a wire stretch across the windscreen and ride upward. The helicopter subsequently impacted the field, rolled left, and came to rest on its left side. During the impact, the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
This accident is documented in NTSB report NYC07CA084. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N828BA.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in an in flight collision with utility wires during takeoff, and a subsequent impact with terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot of a Bell 206B helicopter stated that she was conducting a charter flight. She was picking up three passengers at a housing construction site, and taking them to an airport. After the third passenger boarded, the pilot hovered the helicopter, and initiated a takeoff to the southwest over an approximate 300-foot grass area. About 50 feet agl, as the helicopter reached effective translational lift, the pilot lowered the collective and immediately saw a wire stretch across the windscreen and ride upward. The helicopter subsequently impacted the field, rolled left, and came to rest on its left side. During the impact, the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC07CA084