# NTSB FTW98LA195: Bell 206B, N108RL, Jasper, TX, April 24, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 24, 1998, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Jasper, TX - Coordinates: 33.089546, -96.880493 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0895&lon=-96.8805&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20586 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA195 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20586/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA195 ## Probable cause the pilot's encounter with a dynamic rollover after the toe of the left skid became caught on a trailer, while attempting to land the trailer. A related factor was: the pilot's perception of pressure, which was induced by a need to perform a scheduled inspection. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - other - dynamic rollover - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - pressure induced by conditions/events, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the pilot, a 100-hour inspection of the helicopter was due, and ground handling wheels were not available to ground handle the helicopter into the hangar for the scheduled maintenance. The mechanic asked the pilot to reposition the helicopter on a utility trailer, equipped with 18 inch side rails, so the helicopter could be taken to the hangar. The pilot's reasoning was influenced by the fact that the helicopter was scheduled for an aerial application flight the next morning. While landing on the trailer, the toe of the left skid became caught under the side rail of the trailer, and the helicopter encountered a dynamic rollover. The main rotor blades contacted the ground, and the helicopter came to rest on its left side. ## Factual narrative On April 24, 1998, at 1645 central daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N108RL, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing near Jasper, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the repositioning flight. The helicopter was owned by Rotorcraft Technology Inc., of Lafayette, Louisiana, and was being operated by North Star Helicopters Inc., of Jasper, Texas, under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The positioning flight was originating when the accident occurred. According to the pilot, the helicopter was due a 100-hour inspection. The helicopter was scheduled for another aerial application flight next morning. The pilot added that ground handling wheels were not available to ground handle the helicopter into the hangar for the scheduled maintenance. As a last resort, the mechanic asked the pilot to reposition the helicopter on a utility trailer equipped with 18 inch side rails, so the aircraft could be moved into the hangar to perform the inspection. The pilot stated that after assessing the situation, he agreed to reposition the helicopter onto the trailer. The pilot added that while repositioning the helicopter, the toe of the left landing gear skid was caught under the side rail of the trailer. As the pilot attempted to dislodge the skid from the trailer, the helicopter encountered dynamic rollover. After the main rotor blades contacted the ground, the helicopter came to rest on its left side. Examination of the helicopter by the FAA inspector confirmed that the main rotor blades, the main rotor mast and left horizontal stabilizer sustained structural damage. On the recommendation to prevent similar accident block of the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated: "should not have been attempted on a trailer with holes in the sides for the skids to become lodged." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N108RL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N108RL-1999-09-01), registration cancelled 1999-09-01, S/N 121 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206B - Registry model: [Bell 206A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206a) (registry code 1181508) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 123 - Airframe hours: 3300 - Engines: Allison 250-C20B 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Lonnie G. Jensen, doing business as North Star Helicopters Inc. - Registered owner: Rotorcraft Technology - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1998, 100 hours before - Airport: JAS, Jasper County-Bell Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 10,425 total, 1,350 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °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 19980424007629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980424007629A), Apr 24, 1998: Bell 206B, Jasper, TX, Substantial damage. Trying to reposition 206B onto trailer. Skid caught side rail causing dynamic rollover. Unsuitible landing area. (.19) on April 24, 1998, at 1645 central… 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.