# NTSB DFW06LA197: Bell 206L-1, N601GM, Ozona, TX, August 12, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 12, 2006, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Ozona, TX - Coordinates: 30.735277, -101.202774 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7353&lon=-101.2028&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64314 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06LA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64314/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06LA197 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable terrain for landing. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain. ## Analysis The operator reported that the helicopter was in the area performing long-line external load operations in support of seismic activities. After landing on a uphill rocky slope the pilot rolled the throttle to idle and checked the control for stability of the landing surface. The 1,263-hour commercial pilot, who reported having accumulated a total of 48 hours in the same make and model, then exited the helicopter in an attempt to re-hook another external load bag. While the pilot was outside the helicopter, the aircraft began to slide backwards and the pilot attempted to compensate by pushing down on the toe of the landing gear skid to stop the slide. The helicopter continued to slide until the tail rotor blades made contact with a large rock outcrop. The pilot subsequently entered the helicopter and retarded the engine. The tail rotor gear box and the aft portion of the tailboom separated from the tailboom. Both tail rotor blades sustained structural damage; however, they remained attached to the tail rotor gear box. The helicopter remained in the upright position and there was no fire. The pilot reported that at the time of the mishap, the weather was clear, with winds from the southeast at 10 to 15 knots, and a temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. ## Factual narrative On August 12, 2006, at 1830 central daylight time, a single-engine Bell 206L-1 helicopter, N601GM, was substantially damaged while landing near Ozona, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, was not injured. The helicopter was registered to Vista Helicopter Services, Inc., of North Las Vegas, Nevada, and was being operated by Silver State helicopters, also of North Las Vegas, Nevada. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 133 flight. A flight plan was not filed for the external load flight. The local flight originated from a nearby ranch at time unknown. The operator reported that the helicopter was in the area performing long-line (100-foot) external load operations in support of seismic activities. After landing on a uphill rocky slope, the pilot rolled the throttle to idle, friction the controls and checked the control for stability of the landing surface. The 1,263-hour commercial, who reported having accumulated a total of 48 hours in the same make and model, then exited the helicopter in an attempt to hook-up another external load bag. While the pilot was outside the running helicopter, the aircraft began to slide backwards and the pilot attempted to compensate by stepping on the toe of the landing gear skid to stop the slide. The helicopter continued to slide until the tail rotor blades made contact with a large rock outcrop. The pilot subsequently entered the helicopter, shut down the engine, and applied the rotor brake to bring the main rotors to a stop. The operator reported that the tail rotor gear box and the aft portion of the tailboom separated from the tailboom. Both tail rotor blades sustained structural damage; however, they remained attached to the tail rotor gear box. The main rotor blades were not damaged. The helicopter remained in the upright position and there was no fire. The pilot reported that at the time of the mishap, the weather was clear, with winds from the southeast at 10 to 15 knots, and a temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, standing - engine(s) operating - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - performed, pilot in command - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N601GM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N601GM), registered now, S/N 45638, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206L-1 - Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 317HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-317hp) (registry code 03011, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 45638 - Engines: Allison 250-C28B 435 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: External load, Part 133 - Operator: Silver State Helicopters - Registered owner: Vista Helicopter Services Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KOZA, Ozona, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 1,263 total, 48 in this make and model, 1,195 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 135° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °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 20060812017109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060812017109A), Aug 12, 2006: Bell 206L1, Iraan, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot was performing long line seismic work on a job just east of Iraan, Texas. He accidentally dropped an extra bag on one of the drops. He landed… ## Other investigations on N601GM (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 LAX02LA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA295), Sep 25, 2002: Bell 206L-1 (N601GM), North Las Vegas, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power due to an inadequate fuel supply. 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.