# NTSB CHI05CA271: Bell 206B, N2995W, Elk Point, SD, September 15, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 15, 2005, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Elk Point, SD - Coordinates: 42.641666, -96.686668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6417&lon=-96.6867&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 62643 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05CA271 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62643/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA271 ## Probable cause The loss of directional control for undetermined reasons which led to the pilot not being able to maintain clearance from the embankment during the forced landing. The rising embankment was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - altitude/clearance - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor) ## Analysis The helicopter was damaged during a forced landing following an uncommanded right rotation after takeoff. The pilot stated that he departed from the shoreline of a river into a 2 to 3 mile per hour wind. He stated that when the helicopter was about 100 feet in altitude, 100 yards from the shore, and indicating over 50 miles per hour, a slight right turn was initiated. He stated that full left pedal input would not stop the right turn. The pilot elected to return to the shore. He stated that as he approached a flat area, he felt that he would not be able to reach the intended landing area and attempted to turn back toward the river. He said that the left rear skid contacted the sloping ground and the helicopter slid down the slope and came to rest on its left side. Examination of the helicopter subsequent to the accident failed to reveal any anomalies. Continuity of the tail rotor drive and control systems was confirmed. A maintenance record entry dated one day prior to the accident indicated that the tailboom had been replaced. Determination of proper rigging of the tail rotor could not be determined due to bending of the tail rotor control push-pull tubes from impact forces. The pilot reported unlimited visibility, a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and south winds at 2 to 3 miles per hour. ## Factual narrative On September 15, 2005, about 1830 central daylight time, a Bell 206B, N2995W, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following an uncommanded right rotation near Elk Point, South Dakota. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot was not injured. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's written statement, he had departed from the shoreline of the Mississippi river into a 2 to 3 mile per hour wind. He stated that when the helicopter was about 100 feet in altitude, 100 yards from the shore, and indicating over 50 miles per hour, a slight right turn was initiated. He stated that full left pedal input would not stop the right turn. The pilot elected to return to the shore. He stated that as he approached a flat area, he felt that he would not be able to reach the intended landing area and attempted to turn back toward the river. He said that the left rear skid contacted the sloping ground and the helicopter slid down the slope and cam to rest on its left side. Examination of the helicopter subsequent to the accident failed to reveal any anomalies. Continuity of the tail rotor drive and control systems were confirmed. A maintenance record entry dated September 14, 2005 indicated that the tailboom had been replaced. Determination of proper rigging of the tail rotor could not be determined due to bending of the tail rotor control push-pull tubes from impact forces. The pilot reported unlimited visibility, a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and south winds at 2 to 3 miles per hour. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2995W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2995W), registered now, S/N 1192, built 1973 (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: 1192 - Engines: Allison 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Scotts Helicopter Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Elk Point, SD - Destination: Elk Point, SD ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 16,441 total, 2,635 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 125 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 20050915025999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050915025999A), Sep 15, 2005: Bell 206B, Elk Point, SD, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 15, 2005, at about 1815 CDT, the pilot took off in a BHT-206-B helicopter intending to spray herbicide on sand bars on the Missouri river,… ## Other investigations on N2995W (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 LAX88LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA136), Mar 18, 1988: Bell 206B (N2995W), Honolulu, HI, substantial damage 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.