Accident Bell 206L-1 N5019K, Monday 27 January 1986

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Date:	Monday 27 January 1986
Time:	14:52 LT
Type:	Bell 206L-1
Owner/operator:	Minuteman Aviation
Registration:	N5019K
MSN:	45229
Year of manufacture:	1979
Total airframe hrs:	2978 hours
Engine model:	Allison 250-C28
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Missoula, MT - United States of America
Phase:	Take off
Nature:	Unknown
Departure airport:
Destination airport:	Clearwater Jct, MT
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE HELICOPTER, EQUIPPED WITH LANDING SKID SNOW PADS, WAS PARKED ON A NARROW RAMP EXTENSION TO A ROOF TOP HELIPAD THAT WAS SURROUNDED BY A CONCRETE CURB. UPON TAKEOFF TO A HOVER, THE RIGHT SNOW PAD STRUCK AND BECAME MOMENTARTILY CAUGHT ON BOLTS PROTRUDING FROM THE TOP OF THE CURB LOCATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HELICOPTER, RESULTING IN A RIGHT ROLLING ACTION OF THE HELICOPTER. THE LIFT FORCES BENT THE SNOW PAD, SUDDENLY DISENGAGING IT FROM THE BOLTS, AT WHICH TIME THE ACFT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TOWARD A BUILDING. AS THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO REGAIN CONTROL TO AVOID IMPACT WITH THE BUILDING, THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE ROOF TOP AND ANTI-TORQUE CONTROL WAS LOST. THE ACFT SPUN TO THE RIGHT UNTIL IMPACT ON THE HELIPAD.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation: