# NTSB FTW00LA181: Bell 206B, N2277T, Deville, LA, June 19, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 19, 2000, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Deville, LA - Coordinates: 31.33921, -92.149559 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3392&lon=-92.1496&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 10, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49474 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49474/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA181 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the external load that was setting on the ground while hovering. A contributing factor was the pilot's diverted attention. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, hover - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - dynamic rollover - encountered, pilot in command ## Analysis The helicopter was equipped with a carousel that had 4 electric release hooks under a 100-foot long line. Four cache bags of equipment were hooked to the carousel. The pilot proceeded to the first location, released one bag and moved to another location for the next drop. He released the next hook but noticed that as he lifted the remaining load, the bag had not released. He reset the hook sequencer and attempted a release with more weight on the hook(s); however, no bag released. He lowered the 100-foot long line onto the ground so he could 'examine the carousel for an electrical disconnection or perhaps [a] bag strap hang up.' While at a low hover, with the helicopter facing into the wind, the pilot moved the helicopter laterally from left to right toward the carousel. The pilot was concerned with maintaining tail rotor clearance with the rotor wash blown cotton crop. Therefore, he was looking back out the open door when the helicopter's right skid contacted one or more of the cache bags, which were extending above the cotton plants. Subsequently, the helicopter rolled over onto its right side. ## Factual narrative On June 19, 2000, at 0945 central daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N2277T, was substantially damaged when it rolled over while hovering near Deville, Louisiana. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Carisch Helicopters, Inc., of Bozeman, Montana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 133 external load flight. The local flight originated from a staging area approximately five minutes prior to the accident. The helicopter was equipped with a carousel that had 4 electric release hooks under a 100-foot long line. Four cache bags of equipment were hooked to the carousel. The pilot proceeded to the first drop location, released one bag and moved to another location for the next drop. He released the next hook but noticed that as he lifted the remaining load, the bag had not released. He reset the hook sequencer and attempted a release with more weight on the hook(s); however, no bag released. He lowered the 100-foot long line onto the ground so he could "examine the carousel for an electrical disconnection or perhaps [a] bag strap hang up." While at a low hover, with the helicopter facing into the wind, the pilot moved the helicopter laterally from left to right toward the carousel. The pilot was concerned with maintaining tail rotor clearance with the rotor wash blown cotton crop. Therefore, he was looking back out the open door when the helicopter's right skid contacted one or more of the cache bags, which were extending above the cotton plants. Subsequently, the helicopter rolled over onto its right side. An examination of the helicopter by the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the main rotor had separated from its mast, and the tailboom and both skids were damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2277T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2277T-2002-08-19), registration cancelled 2002-08-19, S/N 3631, built 1982 (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: 3631 - Airframe hours: 10335 - Engines: Allison 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 133 - Registered owner: Carisch Helicopters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 10, 2000, 31 hours before - Departed: NONE - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 9,800 total, 4,300 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 225° at 5 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 20000619006199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000619006199A), Jun 19, 2000: Bell 206B, Deville, LA, No damage. (-23) The pilot was repositioning the helicopter within a cotton filed and while moving laterally to the right, facing southwest into the wind, the pilot's… ## Other investigations on N2277T (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 SEA95GA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95GA062), Feb 24, 1995: Bell 206 (N2277T), Dillon, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF A LANDING SITE THAT WAS NOT SUITABLE TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE HELICOPTER. FACTORS INCLUDE TERRAIN COVERED WITH SOFT SNOW. 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.