20130420005949A

Accident · Substantial damage

FAA accident report · Bell 206B3 · Wells, NV · April 20, 2013

Date: April 20, 2013 · 10:40 local
Place: Wells, NV
Phase of flight: Maneuver
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Operator: FZPA
Damage: Substantial damage
Aircraft: N4237M
NTSB investigation: NTSBWPR13CA204
Reported as: Bell 206B3
Reported engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C20B
People aboard: 2
Fatal injuries: 0
Other injuries: 0
Pilot’s certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
Pilot’s flight hours: 7,115 total2,709 in this make and model68 in the last 90 days

N4237MRegistered now · Bell 206BS/N 4055 · Built 1989 Airframe modelBell 206B Engine modelRolls-Royce 250-C20BTurbo-shaft

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry 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.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

On 4/20/2013 at 10:40 a.m., helicopter N4237M, a Bell 206B3, struck a 8-10 foot bush with the tail rotor. This resulted in significant vibrations. The pilot elected to land without power to the nearest landing area. The landing was completed with no additional damage to the helicopter and with no injuries to the pilot or passenger.

As the FAA filed it

ON 4/20/2013 AT 10:40 A.M., HELICOPTER N4237M, A BELL 206B3, STRUCK A 8-10 FOOT BUSH WITH THE TAIL ROTOR. THIS RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT VIBRATIONS. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND WITHOUT POWER TO THE NEAREST LANDING AREA. THE LANDING WAS COMPLETED WITH NO ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER AND WITH NO INJURIES TO THE PILOT OR PASSENGER.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB WPR13CA204Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportWells, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle while maneuvering at a low altitude.Apr 20, 2013 · Substantial damage