# NTSB MIA92LA042: Bell 206L-3, N206CM, Charlotte, NC, December 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1991, 21:45 local (Dec 12, 1991, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Charlotte, NC
- Coordinates: 35.22929, -80.909957 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2293&lon=-80.9100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33041
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33041/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA042

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMANDS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN TAILROTOR GROUND CLEARANCE WHILE HOVERING RESULTING IN THE TAIL STRIKING THE GROUND AND THE SUBSEQUENT SEPARATION OF THE TAILROTOR AND GEARBOX.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
  - terrain condition - soft
  - cyclic - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor gearbox(90 deg) - separation
- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- Hard landing, descent

## Analysis

PLT FAILED TO MAINTAIN TAIL BOOM STINGER GROUND CLEARANCE WHILE HOVERING TO LAND. DURING AN AFT MOVEMENT THE STINGER CONTACTED THE GROUND. TAILROTOR AND GEARBOX SEPARATED AND PLT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A HARD LANDING WAS MADE. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N206CM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-3
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 51006
- Airframe hours: 4250
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C30P 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Omni Flight Helicopters Inc.
- Registered owner: Textron Financial Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, January 2, 2000
- Airport: CLT, Douglas Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,500 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 1 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 19911211055659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911211055659A), Dec 11, 1991: Bell 206L3, Charlotte, NC, Substantial damage. On test flight lifted to hover. Drifted backwards and tail rotor hit berm. Aborted hover. Set down. Hard landing.

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.

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