Summary
On March 13, 2007, a Aerospatiale SA315B (N926JV) was involved in an incident near Norwood, CO. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The inflight collision with a bird(s).
The pilot said the helicopter was in cruise flight at 7,800 feet msl (mean sea level), or approximately 300 to 400 feet above the ground, when it suddenly yawed and began vibrating. After making a precautionary landing, the pilot inspected the helicopter and found two of the three tail rotor blades were bent, and the drive shaft was bent 24 degrees. Feathers and bird remains were found in the tail rotor system. A Denver Zoo avian said they were down feathers but could not identify the bird species.
This incident is documented in NTSB report DEN07CA073. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N926JV.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The inflight collision with a bird(s).
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot said the helicopter was in cruise flight at 7,800 feet msl (mean sea level), or approximately 300 to 400 feet above the ground, when it suddenly yawed and began vibrating. After making a precautionary landing, the pilot inspected the helicopter and found two of the three tail rotor blades were bent, and the drive shaft was bent 24 degrees. Feathers and bird remains were found in the tail rotor system. A Denver Zoo avian said they were down feathers but could not identify the bird species.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DEN07CA073