# NTSB ERA23LA295: Bell Helicopter Textron 206B, N919AC, Sandersville, GA, June 25, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 25, 2023, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Sandersville, GA - Coordinates: 32.977213, -82.807857 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9772&lon=-82.8079&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - 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: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 192607 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA295 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192607/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192607 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA295 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance of trees during landing, which resulted in a tail rotor contact with tree limbs and a subsequent loss of control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=1181518), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=1181518), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181518), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1181518), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that while conducting agricultural spraying operations, he flew back to the fuel truck for fuel. He radioed his spotter and asked if the area was clear, and the spotter told him it was. He was attempting to land on a trailer when the tail rotor came into contact with some tree limbs and several tail rotor blades separated from the helicopter. The helicopter immediately lost tail rotor authority and began to yaw. The pilot then tried to move the helicopter away from the trailer and land on the ground. The tail rotor and gearbox separated from the helicopter before the pilot landed the helicopter on the ground. The helicopter’s empennage was substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N919AC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N919AC), registered now, S/N 4020, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON 206B - Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206b) (registry code 1181518) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C20B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c20b) (registry code 54385, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 4020 - Year built: 1988 - Airframe hours: 12412 - Engines: Rolls-Royce M250-C20 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Vertical Vegetation Management LLC - Registered owner: Vertical Vegetation Management LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 16, 2023 - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: Handheld GPS, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 4, 2022; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 7,331 total, 872 in this make and model, 7,182 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 72 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KMLJ, 24 nm away ## Other investigations on N919AC (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 ERA22LA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA192), Apr 18, 2022: Bell Helicopter Textron 206B (N919AC), Cedar Key, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper fuel planning during agricultural spraying operations, which resulted in fuel starvation, a loss of engine power, and a hard landing following an autorotation. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192607. 3.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15822826&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15822626&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-Rel.pdf - Investigative photo's (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 944 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15823002&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photo%27s-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.