# Accident 20060407004449A: Bell 206B, Sprague, WA, April 7, 2006

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 7, 2006, 10:00 local time
- Place: Sprague, WA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Hovering
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: NTWA
- Location: 47.2825° N, 117.9175° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2825&lon=-117.9175&mi=10
- Aircraft: N96NW, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N96NW) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 206B (registry code 1181511, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C20 series (registry code 03020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 25,200 total, 19,500 in this make and model, 188 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA06TA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06TA071) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060407004449A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA^ WAS FLYING WITH TWO WASHINGTON STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE PEOPLE BAGGING AND TAGGING MULE DEER IN THE DRAWS DUE EAST OF SPRAGUE WASHINGTON. HE FLEW AROUND THE END OF A BUTTE WESTWARD IN A 50 FOOT DEEP DRAW, A MULE DEER WAS NETTED, AND HE STOPPED THE HELICOPTER AND TURNED AROUND BACK TOWARDS THE DEER LEVEL WITH AND SLIGHTLY SOUTH OF THE NEXT BLUFF RIDGE. EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT ONE (1) MAIN ROTOR BLADE CLIPPED THE EDGE OF THE BUTTE, 9 INCHES OF SAID BLADE LEFT THE HELICOPTER, AND SPLIT OPEN ANOTHER FOOT OR SO, CAUSING A LEFT AND DRAG IMBALANCE MAKING THE HELICOPTER UNCONTROLLABLE. THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA^ GOT ABOVE THE RELATIVELY FLAT BUTTE, MADE A 270 DEGREE TURN AND LANDED THE HELICOPTER ON ITS SKIDS. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED ONTO ITS SIDE DUE TO AN IMBALANCED ROTOR SYSTEM, SNAPPED THE MAST, THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION BROKE LOOSE PARTIALLY FROM THE ENGINE BED AND CAUGHT FIRE, AND THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND BREAKING OFF 6 INCHES OF EACH BLADE. ALL OF THE HELICOPTER WAS AT THE ACCIDENT SITE EXCEPT FOR THE TAIL ROTOR BLADE TIPS WHICH FLUNG UP TO 75 FEET FROM THE WRECKAGE, AND THE TIP OF ONE MAIN ROTOR BLADE THAT WAS LOCATED CLOSER TO THE BLADE IMPACT POINT 275FEET AWAY.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA06TA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06TA071), Apr 7, 2006: Bell 206B (N96NW), Sprague, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain while maneuvering. Mountainous terrain was a factor.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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