# NTSB CEN23LA385: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206, N19BH, Hibbing, MN, August 27, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 27, 2023, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Hibbing, MN · Open field used as a landing zone for training.
- Coordinates: 47.426218, -92.826765 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4262&lon=-92.8268&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Minneapolis FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192954
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA385
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192954/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192954
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA385

## Probable cause

The ground crew’s failure to secure the backpack at the landing zone (LZ), that resulted in the tail rotor impacting the backpack during the landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate selection of an area at the LZ, the lack of awareness of the backpack at the LZ, and the absence of communication between the pilot and the ground crew during the landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Tail rotor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046400): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046400/cases.md?model=1181455), [All aircraft, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046400/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: ground equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md?model=1181455), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: ground equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md?model=1181455), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1181455), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Ground crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1181455), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Communication (personnel): lack of communication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Ground crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md?model=1181455), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md)
- [Communication (personnel): cRM/MRM techniques](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063540): Personnel issues › Task performance · Ground crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063540/cases.md?model=1181455), [All aircraft, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063540/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1181455), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Ground crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=1181455), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Communication (personnel): lack of communication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md?model=1181455), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md)
- [Communication (personnel): cRM/MRM techniques](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063540): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063540/cases.md?model=1181455), [All aircraft, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063540/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=1181455), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: External load event (Rotorcraft)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/480); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/480/sequence.md?model=1181455), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/480/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1181455), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=1181455), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1181455), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The helicopter was operating at a remote, unimproved landing zone (LZ) with a ground crew consisting of firefighters. They were conducting aerial firefighting training with an external load consisting of a 50 ft longline and a water bucket. The LZ consisted of about 2.5 ft tall prairie grass, with the tail of the helicopter going up slope. During the landing to the LZ, the tail rotor impacted a backpack on the ground. The helicopter landed upright and the pilot shutdown the helicopter. The pilot performed a self-assessment of the damage sustained to the tail rotor blades and then flew the helicopter back to the airtanker base with the ground crew onboard. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to both tail rotor blades and the tail rotor hub. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot was in radio contact with the ground crew during the training. However, during the landing, there was no communication between the ground crew and the pilot either via radio or hand signal. The orange-colored backpack was owned and was used by the ground crew. According to the operator, the pilot and the ground crew had worked together previously conducting aerial firefighting operations and the pilot had landed to the LZ several times in the past.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N19BH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N19BH), registered now, S/N 52370, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON CANADA 206 (L-4)
- Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-canada-206l-4) (registry code 1181455) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C30P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c30p) (registry code 54013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 52370
- Year built: 2008
- Airframe hours: 6063.6
- Engines: Rolls-Royce 250-C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Firefighting, Part 133
- Operator: Brainerd Helicopter Service, Inc., doing business as Brainerd Helicopter Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: ABC Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 23, 2023, 54 hours before
- Departed: HIB, Hibbing, MN
- Destination: Hibbing, MN
- Equipment: Satellite tracking device, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS, Onboard weather

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 20, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,107 total, 86 in this make and model, 3,065 as pilot in command, 154 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: KHIB, 2 nm away
- METAR: KHIB 271653Z AUTO VRB03KT 10SM CLR 17/05 A3012 RMK AO2 SLP206 T01720050

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20230827012319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230827012319A), Aug 27, 2023: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206L-4, Hibbing, MN, Substantial damage. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to both tail rotor blades and the tail rotor hub when it was operating at a remote, unimproved landing zone (lz).…

## Docket (13 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 26, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192954. 17.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16039105&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1%20Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident photographs (item 2, PDF, 12 pages, 7.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16042696&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-Rel.pdf
- Brainerd helicopter service - additional questions (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 273 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16042926&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Operator%20-%20Additonal%20Questions%20Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Brainerd helicopter service - accident investigation report (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 313 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16041708&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Operator%20-%20Accident%20Investigation%20Report%20Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Brainerd helicopter service - flight risk assessment tool (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 538 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16042916&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Operator%20-%20Flight%20Risk%20Assessment%20Tool-Rel.pdf
- Brainerd helicopter service - damage assessment information (item 6, PDF, 3 pages, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16039115&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Operator%20-%20Damage%20Assessment%20Email%20Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Minnesota department of natural resources - statements (item 7, PDF, 3 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16051751&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MN%20DNR%20-%20Statements%20Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Minnesota department of natural resources - aviation project plan (item 8, PDF, 12 pages, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16043471&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MN%20DNR%20-%20Aviation%20Project%20Plan%20Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Landing zone - information (item 9, PDF, 3 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16051170&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Landing%20Zone%20-%20Information-Rel.pdf
- Landing zone - exemplar marking tape (item 10, PDF, 1 page, 437 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16043724&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Landing%20Zone%20-%20Exemplar%20Marking%20Tape-Rel.pdf
- Bell 206 series - slope limitations information (item 11, PDF, 3 pages, 883 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16058447&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Bell%20206%20Series%20-%20Slope%20Limitations%20Information%20Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Bell 206 L-4 rfm excerpt - descent and landing (item 12, PDF, 1 page, 214 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16056971&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Bell%20206%20L-4%20RFM%20Excerpt%20-%20Descent%20and%20Landing-Rel.pdf
- NTSB - safety alert SA-057 (helicopter landing sites - free from debris) (item 13, PDF, 3 pages, 223 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16051761&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Safety%20Alert%20SA-057-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.

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