# NTSB GAA16CA405: Bell 206, N1087N, Outlook, WA, July 29, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 29, 2016, 07:05 local (14:05 UTC) - Place: Outlook, WA - Coordinates: 46.319721, -120.05722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3197&lon=-120.0572&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Prior to flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/100) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Prior to flight: Aircraft servicing event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 12, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93726 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA405 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93726/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93726 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA405 ## Probable cause The pilot and ground crew's failure to visually inspect the helicopter's skids before takeoff, which resulted in a water hose becoming entangled on the right skid, a loss of control, an impact with terrain, and a post-crash fire. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Ground crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Ground crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Water and waste system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023800/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023800/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Bell 206B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Bell 206B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft servicing event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a helicopter performing aerial application reported that his loader laid the water hose across the skids due to the location of the helicopter's fill port and the ground water tank. After the loading was complete, the pilot reported that during takeoff, "the helicopter felt like the skids were dragging through the dirt even though I knew I was at least 5 [feet] above the ground." The pilot further reported that he realized the water hose nozzle had snagged on the helicopter's skid and he attempted to abort the takeoff. As soon as he began the abort, the helicopter nosed down, impacted terrain, and rolled over to the right. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The loader, who also witnessed the accident, reported that this was the last load of the day for this spray location. He further reported that as the helicopter entered a hover, he noticed a hose lying over the right skid and he "waved and screamed" to the pilot, but he had already turned out of view. The loader subsequently observed the "dry lock nozzle" hook onto the right skid and the helicopter "lurched to the right" and impacted terrain. The loader assisted the pilot in an emergency evacuation, as they both observed a post-crash fire. The nearby water truck was empty and the helicopter was destroyed by the post-crash fire. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a helicopter performing aerial application reported that his loader laid the water hose across the skids due to the location of the helicopter's fill port and the ground water tank. After the loading was complete, the pilot reported that during takeoff, "the helicopter felt like the skids were dragging through the dirt even though I knew I was at least 5 [feet] above the ground." The pilot further reported that he realized the water hose nozzle had snagged on the helicopter's skid and he attempted to abort the takeoff. As soon as he began the abort, the helicopter nosed down, impacted terrain, and rolled over to the right. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The loader, who also witnessed the accident, reported that this was the last load of the day for this spray location. He further reported that as the helicopter entered a hover, he noticed a hose lying over the right skid and he "waved and screamed" to the pilot, but he had already turned out of view. The loader subsequently observed the "dry lock nozzle" hook onto the right skid and the helicopter "lurched to the right" and impacted terrain. The loader assisted the pilot in an emergency evacuation, as they both observed a post-crash fire. The nearby water truck was empty and the helicopter was destroyed by the post-crash fire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1087N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1087N-2016-10-04), registration cancelled 2016-10-04, S/N 3019, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206 (B) - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (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: 3019 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 7795 - Engines: Rolls Royce 250C-20B 380 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: J.R. Helicopters LLC. - Registered owner: J.R. Helicopters Leasing LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 17, 2016 - Departed: WA97, BUENA, WA - Destination: Outlook, WA - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 21, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,089 total, 1,453 in this make and model, 3,997 as pilot in command, 129 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: K1S5, 6 nm away ## 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 20160729012629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160729012629A), Jul 29, 2016: Bell 206B, Yakima, WA, Substantial damage. N1087N, a 1980 Bell 206B helicopter received substantial damage and subsequently caught on fire destroying the aircraft. The commercially rated pilot received… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 1, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93726. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444100&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Ground Loader Statement (item 2, .PDF, 255 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444101&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ground%20Loader%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of Operator) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444102&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.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.