# NTSB CEN23LA053: Bell 407, N184SF, Searcy, AR, November 19, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 19, 2022, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Searcy, AR - Coordinates: 35.23348, -91.729758 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2335&lon=-91.7298&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 106374 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106374/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106374 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA053 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the electrical box while repositioning. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 407, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=1182206), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 407, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1182206), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: airport structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Bell 407, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/cases.md?model=1182206), [All aircraft, 50 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 407, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1182206), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Bell 407, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1182206), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was repositioning the helicopter on the helipad to refuel. During the maneuver, the helicopter drifted aft and the tailrotor struck an electrical box. The helicopter lost tail rotor authority and landed hard on the skids. The tailrotor driveshaft, gearbox, and driveshaft sustained substantial damage. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N184SF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N184SF), registered now, S/N 53087, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 407 - Registry model: [Bell 407](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-407) (registry code 1182206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C47B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c47b) (registry code 54585, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 53087 - Year built: 1996 - Airframe hours: 6837.7 - Engines: ROLLS-ROYC 250-C47B 650 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 135 - Operator: Viking Aviation LLC, doing business as Survival Flight - Registered owner: Gm Leasing Co LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, August 29, 2022 - Departed: AR45, Little Rock, AR - Destination: AR78, Searcy, AR - Airport: AR78, Unity Health Specialty Care - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Data recorder, ADS-B, Satellite tracking device, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1; last flight review March 19, 2022; seat: right; flight hours: 3,433 total, 382 in this make and model, 2,076 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: KSRC, 1 nm away - METAR: METAR KSRC 192256Z AUTO 25006KT 10SM CLR 07/M09 A3035 RMK AO2 SLP279 T00671094 ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 15, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106374. 6.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 892 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15393678&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120.1%20N184SF%20CEN23LA053_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 8 pages, 8 photos, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15393273&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN23LA053%20Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15393993&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N184SF%20Accident%20Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.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.