N183TC – BELL 206B – 2017-06-26 NTSB Accident Report

On June 26, 2017, a Bell 206B (N183TC) was involved in an incident near Entiat, WA. 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 secure a loose item inside the cockpit that interfered with antitorque pedal control and led to a loss of helicopter control due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

The pilot reported that while maneuvering the helicopter at low altitude for an aerial application flight, an usecured clipboard that was on the seat next to him fell, and became lodged under the anti-torque peddles. Unable to free the clipboard, the pilot chose to make a precautionary landing. About 5-10 ft. above ground level, tail rotor authority was lost and the helicopter began to rotate to the right. After about two rotations he was able to land the helicopter. During the touchdown, the stinger folded into the tail rotor.

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom.

The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA369. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N183TC.