Summary
On June 26, 2007, a Bell 206B (N96ND) was involved in an incident near Grand Forks, ND. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft was destroyed.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The certified flight instructor's inadequate compensation for the gusting wind conditions and failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a hover for takeoff. A factor contributing to the accident was the gusting wind conditions.
The helicopter was destroyed when it impacted terrain and rolled over during takeoff hover. The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that the helicopter startup and runup was uneventful. The student pilot hover taxied the helicopter from the ramp to a sod area near Bravo taxiway. The student landed the helicopter and the CFI took over the controls so that the student could put on his view limiting device to prepare for the instrument flight. The CFI stated that when the helicopter lifted off the ground, a gust of wind pitched the nose up and the helicopter drifted rearward. The right side skid caught the ground and the helicopter subsequently rolled on its side, causing damage to both the main and tail rotor blades, the cabin, and the landing gear skids.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CHI07CA181. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N96ND.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The certified flight instructor's inadequate compensation for the gusting wind conditions and failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a hover for takeoff. A factor contributing to the accident was the gusting wind conditions.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The helicopter was destroyed when it impacted terrain and rolled over during takeoff hover. The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that the helicopter startup and runup was uneventful. The student pilot hover taxied the helicopter from the ramp to a sod area near Bravo taxiway. The student landed the helicopter and the CFI took over the controls so that the student could put on his view limiting device to prepare for the instrument flight. The CFI stated that when the helicopter lifted off the ground, a gust of wind pitched the nose up and the helicopter drifted rearward. The right side skid caught the ground and the helicopter subsequently rolled on its side, causing damage to both the main and tail rotor blades, the cabin, and the landing gear skids. An examination of the helicopter revealed no pre-impact anomalies.
Wind conditions reported near the time of the accident were: Wind 270 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 22 knots.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI07CA181