# NTSB SEA00LA020: Bell 206L-1, N519EH, Neihart, MT, November 17, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 17, 1999, 13:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Neihart, MT - Coordinates: 46.890285, -110.720771 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8903&lon=-110.7208&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47777 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47777/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA020 ## Probable cause Clearance from an object was not maintained. Gusting wind conditions was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tower - Hard landing, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis The pilot reported that, due to trees directly in front of him for the departure from a remote site located near ski lift towers, he elected to turn the nose of the helicopter 45 to 50 degrees to the left, hover over to an open area, and depart downslope building airspeed and altitude. After the helicopter moved to the left about 20 to 30 feet, the pilot felt the tail of the helicopter rotate abruptly to the left. The pilot applied left pedal which slowed, but did not stop the rotation. The pilot applied cyclic control to return to the landing zone. During the maneuver, the helicopter drifted over to one of the ski lift towers, striking the tail rotor on the tower. The rotation increased, and the pilot closed the throttle and utilized collective to cushion the landing which was hard. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter at the time of the accident. Shortly after the accident, as the pilot was waiting for company personnel to arrive, he noted that at 10 to 15 minute intervals, the wind gusts would become stronger for a short period of time, then die down. The pilot reported that the wind was from 180 degrees at five knots, gusting to 15 knots. ## Factual narrative On November 17, 1999, about 1350 mountain standard time, a Bell 206L-1, N519EH, registered to and operated by Omniflight Helicopters as a 14 CFR Part 135 emergency medical service, collided with a tower during takeoff from Neihart, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot, medic, nurse, and patient were not injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The flight was taking off for the flight to Great Falls, Montana. In a written statement, the pilot reported that prior to touchdown, he flew over the landing zone to check for hazards and wind direction. The pilot performed the before-landing check and did a power check to make sure that he had 100 percent torque available without exceeding engine and transmission limits. The pilot then landed the helicopter in an open area near ski lift towers. After the patient was loaded and the weight and balance was calculated, the pilot prepared for departure. The pilot reported that, due to trees directly in front of him, he elected to "turn the nose of the helicopter 45 to 50 degrees to the left, hover over to an open area and depart downslope building airspeed and altitude." After the helicopter moved left about 20 to 30 feet, the pilot felt the tail of the helicopter "rotate abruptly left." The pilot applied left pedal which slowed, but did not stop the rotation. The pilot applied cyclic control to return to the landing zone. During the maneuver, the helicopter drifted over to one of the ski lift towers, striking the tail rotor on the tower. The helicopter began to rotate faster to the right and the pilot closed the throttle to the idle position and utilized the collective to cushion the landing. The helicopter landed hard, collapsing the landing skids. The tail boom bent downward just outboard of the attach fittings. The lower vertical stabilizer contacted the ground and bent to the right. Both tail rotor blades broke near the attach points. One main rotor blade was missing the tip cap from ground contact. The lower vertical stabilizer displayed evidence of contact with an object. The object that the helicopter collided with was the top "bull wheel" of a ski lift tower. The pilot reported that while he was waiting for company personnel to arrive, he noted that at approximately 10 - 15 minute intervals, the wind gusts would become stronger for a short period of time, then die down. The pilot reported that the wind was from 180 degrees at five knots, with gusts to 15 knots. The pilot also reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter at the time of the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Helena, Montana, Flight Standards District Office who responded to the accident site documented the helicopter and landing zone (see attached Memorandum). The inspector reported that "I believe the area was adequate for helicopter operations under the general conditions..." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N519EH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N519EH-2018-09-13), registration cancelled 2018-09-13, S/N 45429, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206L-1 - Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C30 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c30-series) (registry code 03015, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 45429 - Airframe hours: 10437 - Engines: Allison 250-C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Omniflight Helicopters Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, October 10, 1999 - Destination: 95U, GREAT FALLS, MT - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 5,415 total, 1,260 in this make and model, 4,163 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19991117042809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991117042809A), Nov 17, 1999: Bell 206L1, Neihart, MT, No damage. (-23) Pilot stated he lifted to high hover, rotated 45 to 50 degrees left and slid left 20 to 30 feet. He stated he felt tail rotate abruptly left and applied… ## Other investigations on N519EH (1) 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. - [NTSB GAA17CA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA132), Feb 2, 2017: Bell Helicopter Textron 206 (N519EH), Carson City, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot-in-command’s delayed remedial action to arrest the right yaw after the bounced landing while operating in a flight regime conducive to the loss of tail rotor effectiveness, which resulted… 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.