# NTSB GAA17CA369: Bell 206B, N183TC, Entiat, WA, June 26, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 26, 2017, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Entiat, WA - Coordinates: 47.732223, -120.347778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7322&lon=-120.3478&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95443 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA369 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95443/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95443 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA369 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to secure a loose item inside the cockpit that interfered with antitorque pedal control and led to a loss of helicopter control due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring equip/instruments](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while maneuvering the helicopter at low altitude for an agricultural application flight, an unsecured clipboard that was on the seat next to him fell and became lodged under the antitorque pedals. Unable to free the clipboard, the pilot chose to make a precautionary landing. About 5 to10 ft above ground level, the pilot lost tail rotor authority, and the helicopter began to rotate to the right. After about two rotations, he was able to land the helicopter. During the touchdown, the stinger folded into the tail rotor. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while maneuvering the helicopter at low altitude for an aerial application flight, an usecured clipboard that was on the seat next to him fell, and became lodged under the anti-torque peddles. Unable to free the clipboard, the pilot chose to make a precautionary landing. About 5-10 ft. above ground level, tail rotor authority was lost and the helicopter began to rotate to the right. After about two rotations he was able to land the helicopter. During the touchdown, the stinger folded into the tail rotor. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N183TC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N183TC), registered now, S/N 1805 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206B (B) - 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: 1805 - Year built: 1975 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 SER 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: JP Helicopters - Registered owner: White Rabbit Aviation LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Orondo, WA - Destination: Orondo, WA - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 22, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 353.5 total, 39.2 in this make and model, 230.3 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.70 inHg - Observed at: KEAT, 21 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 20170626010839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170626010839A), Jun 26, 2017: Bell 206B, Entiat, WA, Substantial damage. During spraying job, an unsecured clipboard from the copilot seat fell down between the tail rotor pedals. Pilot was unable to reach the clipboard, but was… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95443. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459744&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 328 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459745&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.