20231008018469A

On October 8, 2023 at about 1930 local time, a Bell 407 rotorcraft impacted the ground under unknown circumstances. There was one fatality, and the helicopter was destroyed upon impact. The accident flight originated at a private residence and was operated as a part 91 repositioning flight.

The accident scene was comprised of an area of approximately 50-100 feet wide stretching over 400 feet long containing debris. Signatures on trees and other vegetation indicate entry into the tree canopy at an altitude of about 75 feet on a heading of approximately 200 degrees and continuing on a similar heading until final rest of the main fuselage approximately 418 feet from the point of entry into the trees. Initial debris of plexiglass from the chin bubble indicated entry nose first and right side up.

Damage on the main and tail rotor blades including broom strawing and blade stacking indicated a power on condition. The cockpit area came to rest upright with the aft fuselage and engine bay twisted upside down behind it. Flight control continuity could be verified through the servos on the cabin top for the cyclic and collective. The pedal continuity could be established through a push pull tube that was impact sheared just aft of the cabin.

The closest weather report available was from lebanon NH airport about 14 miles northwest of the accident site. Reported weather at 1900 local was wind from the southwest at 7 knots, greater than 10 miles visibility, overcast clouds at 5,500 feet with a temperature of 13 c and dewpoint of 6 c. weather at 2000 local winds remained the same, cloud ceiling increased to 7,000 broken with a temperature of 12 c and a dewpoint of 6 c.

The PIC and sole occupant was found deceased at the scene. A review of available pilot and aircraft records indicate appropriate certification and compliance with all applicable regulations. No defective or inoperative equipment was identified in the last available maintenance records and no MEL authorization was held by the operator. The PIC held appropriate medical certification for the flight.

An initial review of the position data of the in cockpit camera by the NTSB lab indicated the helicopter made a vertical takeoff climbing about 400 ft and accelerated forward climbing to an additional 200 ft to around 1,750 MSL and accelerating to 107 KTS. The helicopter then entered a right descending turn with the last data point indicating acceleration to 121 KTS with a heading change of about 30 degrees.

Further review of the in cockpit camera footage when available revealed that the PIC took off in very low ambient light conditions. Shortly after takeoff the PIC began to make abrupt flight control inputs. No mechanical malfunctions were indicated by any in cockpit lights. Large excursions in torque were noted due to large collective inputs. Coordinated controlled flight was never regained. The PIC did not make appropriate flight control inputs to achieve straight and level controlled flight.