N302PD

Substantial
None

BELL 206BS/N: 3801

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, July 11, 2009
NTSB Number
WPR09CA338
Location
Burlington, WA
Event ID
20090713X01337
Coordinates
48.520832, -122.464996
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter while attempting to lift off from a trailer. The helicopter subsequently impacted the ground and rolled over.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N302PD
Make
BELL
Serial Number
3801
Engine Type
Turbo-shaft
Year Built
1984
Model / ICAO
206BB06
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
3673 VAN DYKE RD
Status
Deregistered
City
ALMONT
State / Zip Code
MI 48003-8042
Country
United States

Analysis

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was returning from an aerial application flight in the local area. As he neared the flatbed trailer that he intended to utilize as his landing zone, he noticed that there was a right crosswind of about 5 knots. Just prior to touchdown he felt the helicopter move to the left and subsequently contact the trailer. He attempted to lift off from the trailer by adding right cyclic and increasing the collective. The helicopter rolled to the right, resulting in the main rotor blades contacting the ground. The main rotor blades then impacted the tail boom resulting in its separation from the fuselage. The helicopter came to rest on its right side in a nose high attitude.

Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor assembly, tail rotor assembly, and tail boom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR09CA338