# Accident 20220624008519A: Bell 206B, Merced, CA, June 24, 2022

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 24, 2022, 09:27 local time
- Place: Merced, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: PWFG
- Location: 37.2867° N, 120.5938° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2867&lon=-120.5938&mi=10
- Aircraft: N915B, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N915B-2023-07-07) (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: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 25,220 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR22LA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA236) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220624008519A

## Narrative

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

ON JUNE 24, 2022, AT APPROXIMATELY 0927 PDT, N915B, A BELL 206B, HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A HARD LANDING WHILE DISPENSING PESTICIDES. THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN PROCESS OF SPRAYING A CORN FIELD WHEN ON COMPLETION OF A PASS THE PILOT HEARD A "SNAP" FROM BEHIND AND STARTED TO LOSE TAIL AUTHORITY. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND WITH A RUN-ON LANDING, HOWEVER THE AIRCRAFT TIPPED FORWARD CAUSING IT TO STAND ON ITS NOSE FOLLOWED BY A 180 DEGREES TURN CAUSING THE TAIL BOOM TO COME OFF AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED IN THE PROCESS. NO INJURIES REPORTED FOR THE SOLE PERSON ON BOARD.

## 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 WPR22LA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA236), Jun 24, 2022: Bell 206B (N915B), Merced, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The in-flight failure of the engine-to-transmission drive shaft due to a fatigue fracture of one of the KAflex flex frames caused by a loose bolt, which resulted in a total loss of power to the…

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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