ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 155838
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Tuesday 7 May 2013 |
| Time: | 12:00 |
| Type: |  Bell 206L-1 LongRanger II |
| Owner/operator: | Oasis Services |
| Registration: | N20Z |
| MSN: | 45334 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1982 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 13894 hours |
| Engine model: | Allison 250-C30P |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | South of La Junta, CO -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Survey |
| Departure airport: | La Junta, CO |
| La Junta, CO | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The purpose of the flight was to videotape a pipeline corridor. The commercial pilot reported that, while flying over mainly flat rural areas, the helicopter entered an uncommanded left yaw, returned to straight flight for about 1 to 2 seconds, and then entered an uncommanded right yaw that continued until the helicopter impacted the ground. GPS data from the camera used to videotape the pipeline corridor indicated that the helicopter’s groundspeed was about 37 knots when it entered the uncommanded left yaw. Weather information from an airport about 5 miles away from the accident site indicated that the helicopter was flying with a tailwind of 11 knots gusting to 16 knots, which resulted in a calculated airspeed of between 22 and 26 knots.
A postaccident examination of the airframe, engine, and control system revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The helicopter was operating in a high-power, low-airspeed condition that required the pilot to be especially aware of wind direction to avoid tailwinds, which can result in a loss of control due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot’s operation of the helicopter at a low airspeed with a gusting tailwind resulted in the loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
Probable Cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind during low-altitude operations, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 08-May-2013 19:23 | Geno | Added |
| 05-May-2014 13:58 | Anon. | Updated [Operator] |
| 05-May-2014 14:00 | harro | Updated [Operator, Phase, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:28 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 28-Nov-2017 14:39 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Operator, Total occupants, Other fatalities, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation