# NTSB CEN15CA007: Bell 206B, N4426M, Atlanta, AR, October 3, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 3, 2014, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Atlanta, AR - Coordinates: 33.118331, -93.011665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1183&lon=-93.0117&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 12, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Little Rock FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90229 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15CA007 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90229/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90229 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA007 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection when he did not remove a tie-down strap prior to takeoff, which resulted in a dynamic rollover. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Parking/securing: tie-down/mooring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter had been transported to a remote area with the skid landing gear secured to the helicopter transport trailer with four heavy duty ratchet type tie-downs. After arrival at the work location the pilot and several ground crewmembers prepared the helicopter for an agricultural application flight. The pilot reported that during his walk-around inspection prior to the flight he had overlooked the right rear tie-down, and he attempted to takeoff with the tie-down still attached to the helicopter. As power was applied the helicopter immediately rolled to the right and impacted terrain. Both main rotor blades were impact separated mid-span and the transmission and skid landing gear were partially separated. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, transmission, tail rotor, tail boom and fuselage. A postaccident examination found no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the helicopter. The characteristics displayed by the helicopter were indicative of it encountering a dynamic rollover. ## Factual narrative The helicopter had been transported to a remote area with the skid landing gear secured to the helicopter transport trailer with four heavy duty ratchet type tie-downs. After arrival at the work location the pilot and several ground crewmembers prepared the helicopter for an agricultural application flight. The pilot reported that during his walk-around inspection prior to the flight he had overlooked the right rear tie-down, and he attempted to takeoff with the tie-down still attached to the helicopter. As power was applied the helicopter immediately rolled to the right and impacted terrain. Both main rotor blades were impact separated mid-span and the transmission and skid landing gear were partially separated. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, transmission, tail rotor, tail boom and fuselage. A postaccident examination found no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4426M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4426M-2018-03-23), registration cancelled 2018-03-23, S/N 1759, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206B - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1759 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 12019 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 SER 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Terre Haute Helicopter Inc, doing business as Terre Haute Helicopter Inc - Registered owner: Terre Haute Helicopter Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 1, 2014 - Departed: Atlanta, AR - Destination: Atlanta, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: serious; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 21, 2012; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,946 total, 1,196 in this make and model, 2,946 as pilot in command, 183 in the last 90 days, 77 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: KELD, 12 nm away ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 15, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90229. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 508 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420007&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Summary of Witness Interview (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420008&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Summary%20of%20Witness%20Interview-Master.PDF - Maps (item 3, .PDF, 196 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420009&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Pre-crash Photo of Helicopter Inflight (Photo Courtesy of Operator) (item 4, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420010&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Pre-crash%20Photo%20of%20Helicopter%20Inflight%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Pre-crash Photo of Helicopter Showing Procedures for Ground Transport (Photo Courtesy of Operator) (item 5, .PDF, 203 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420011&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Pre-crash%20Photo%20of%20Helicopter%20Showing%20Procedures%20for%20Ground%20Transport%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Right Side of Wreckage at Accident Scene (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 381 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420012&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Right%20Side%20of%20Wreckage%20at%20Accident%20Scene%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - Front of Wreckage at Accident Scene (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 374 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420013&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Front%20of%20Wreckage%20at%20Accident%20Scene%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.