Summary
On March 01, 2012, a Bell AH-1F (N197LE) was involved in an accident near Coolidge, AZ. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: A flight control malfunction while maneuvering for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation.
On March 01, 2012, at 1220 mountain standard time, N197LE, an experimental exhibition Bell AH-1F helicopter experienced a loss of directional control during maneuvering flight and impacted the ground at Coolidge Municipal Airport (P08), Coolidge, Arizona. The helicopter was operated by the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Museum, Inc., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The pilot and mechanic received minor injuries; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight that departed P08 at an undetermined time.
The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to film a segment for a documentary. The first flight of the filming sequence was uneventful.
This accident is documented in NTSB report WPR12LA107. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N197LE.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
A flight control malfunction while maneuvering for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On March 01, 2012, at 1220 mountain standard time, N197LE, an experimental exhibition Bell AH-1F helicopter experienced a loss of directional control during maneuvering flight and impacted the ground at Coolidge Municipal Airport (P08), Coolidge, Arizona. The helicopter was operated by the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Museum, Inc., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The pilot and mechanic received minor injuries; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight that departed P08 at an undetermined time.
The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to film a segment for a documentary. The first flight of the filming sequence was uneventful. It lasted approximately 10 minutes and included helicopter flybys. The next filming sequence consisted of the accident helicopter and a vehicle in a race simulation. At 1205, a practice run began that terminated at the start/finish line. After crossing the finish line, the pilot initiated a climbing 150- to 180-degree right turn to an altitude of about 200 feet above the ground. He attempted to neutralize the controls in preparation for a normal approach for landing but was unable to move them. The helicopter remained in the same rate of turn, with the same collective pitch and cyclic input, until impact with the ground. The pilot further stated that, at impact, he tried to activate the emergency hydraulic switch.
A postaccident examination by the Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector revealed no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Neither the pilot nor the operator provided a completed NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident ReportForm 6120.1.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR12LA107