N16414

On May 18, 2014, a Bell 47G (N16414) was involved in an incident near Bakersfield, CA. 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 pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control after the helicopter's skid catching on the side of a trailer during takeoff, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.

The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to move the helicopter off of a trailer onto the ground. As the helicopter began to lift off from the trailer platform, a steel bolt on the landing gear skid caught on the aluminum trailer skirting. The helicopter experienced a dynamic rollover and came to rest on its right side. Shortly thereafter, a fire erupted and the cabin area was consumed.

The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

This incident is documented in NTSB report WPR14CA196. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N16414.