N142MA

Substantial
Minor

BELL 407S/N: 53123

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, September 11, 2014
NTSB Number
WPR14CA373
Location
Moab, UT
Event ID
20140912X71805
Coordinates
38.459720, -109.635276
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to ensure adequate clearance from terrain while landing on sloped terrain.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
BELL
Serial Number
53123
Engine Type
Turbo-shaft
Year Built
1996
Model / ICAO
407B407
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1
Seats
7
FAA Model
407

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
MINUTEMAN AVIATION INC
Address
5225 HWY 10W
AIRPORT BOX 16
City
MISSOULA
State / Zip Code
MT 59808
Country
United States

Analysis

The helicopter had been dispatched to pickup and transport two ground crew members to a new location. The pilot positioned the helicopter with the front skids into up sloping terrain when the main rotor blades impacted a large boulder. The helicopter pitched back, rolled onto its right side, and slid down the hill before it came to a rest. During the accident sequence, the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR14CA373