- Date
- November 2, 1996, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place
- Mancos, CO
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N937RBell 206L-3
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 1, 1997
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19961102034779A
- Case key
- 20108
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
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Probable cause
The NTSB’s determination of the probable cause, and any contributing factors.
failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from the windsock, during a hover/pedal-turn after lift-off.
Analysis
The pilot said the helicopter was facing west on a 15 feet x 30 feet landing area. The wind was from the south at about 5 to 10 knots. The pilot lifted the helicopter to a 5 foot hover, then made a left pedal turn to face into the wind. He then heard a loud noise and felt a vibration through the pedals. The pilot made a 'hovering autorotation,' landed, and shut down the engine. Inspection disclosed the tail rotor had struck a nearby windsock.
Factual narrative
On November 2, 1996, approximately 0930 mountain standard time, a Bell 206L-3, N937R, registered to Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company (a subsidiary of US West), was substantially damaged during takeoff from a landing zone near Mancos, Colorado. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local business flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
According to the pilot, the helicopter was facing west on the 15 feet x 30 feet landing zone. The wind was from the south approximately 5 to 10 knots. The pilot lifted the helicopter to a 5 foot hover, then made a left pedal turn to face into the wind. He then heard a loud noise and felt a vibration through the pedals. The pilot made a "hovering autorotation," landed, and shut down the engine. Inspection disclosed the tail rotor had struck a nearby windsock.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N937R
- Reported as
- Bell 206L-3
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 51255
- Airframe hours
- 1,754
- Engine
- Allison 250-C30P, 435 horsepower, turbo shaft
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Mountain States Telephone Co.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- NONE
- Destination
- 82CO · Grand Junction, CO
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 48
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Instrument ratings
- Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 6,834 total · 5,077 in this make and model · 6,634 as pilot in command · 89 in the last 90 days · 23 in the last 30 days · 4 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 180° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility
- 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 39 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.