# NTSB SEA06TA071: Bell 206B, N96NW, Sprague, WA, April 7, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: April 7, 2006, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Sprague, WA - Coordinates: 47.282501, -117.917503 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2825&lon=-117.9175&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 63468 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06TA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63468/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06TA071 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain while maneuvering. Mountainous terrain was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) - Roll over, maneuvering ## Analysis The pilot reported that while conducting deer capture operations, and during a low altitude tail-low flare maneuver, the helicopter's tail rotor blades struck a rock outcropping while maneuvering around a knoll, resulting in the helicopter rotating 270 degrees to the right before contacting the ground and rolling over onto its left side. There was no post crash fire and the pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter prior to or during the flight. ## Factual narrative On April 7, 2006, approximately 1000 Pacific daylight time, a Bell helicopter 206B, N96NW, sustained substantial damage after impacting mountainous terrain while conducting low level deer capture operations near Sprague, Washington. The aircraft was registered to Olympic Jet Incorporated, of Olympia, Washington, and operated by Northwest Helicopters, also of Olympia. The certificated commercial pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local Public Use flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight departed a staging area near Sprague, approximately 0915. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report form (NTSB form 6120.1), the 25,000 hour pilot reported that while conducting deer capture operations, and during a pull-up with the aircraft in a tail low flare maneuver, the tail rotor blades struck a hillside. The pilot stated that [after impact] the helicopter rotated 270 degrees to the right before contacting the ground, which resulted in the aircraft rolling over onto its left side. There was no post crash fire. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter prior to or during the flight. A Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector, who traveled to the accident site, reported that the main rotor blades had impacted a rock outcropping as the helicopter was maneuvering around a knoll. The inspector reported that damage to the helicopter included the mast separating, the engine partially separating, and the tail boom being twisted and bent. At 0956, the automated weather reporting facility at Felts Field (GEG), Spokane, Washington, located approximately 30 nautical miles northeast of the accident site, reported wind 060 degrees at 9 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 10,000 feet, broken clouds at 20,000 feet, temperature 8 degrees C, dew point 2 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.07 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N96NW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N96NW), registered now, S/N 4389, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206B - 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: 4389 - Airframe hours: 4302 - Engines: Rolls-Royce 250-C-20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft - state, Public use - Registered owner: Northwest Helicopters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2006 - Departed: Sprague, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2005; seat: right; flight hours: 25,200 total, 19,500 in this make and model, 22,460 as pilot in command, 188 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: GEG, 20 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 20060407004449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060407004449A), Apr 7, 2006: Bell 206B, Sprague, WA, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] was flying with two Washington state fish and wildlife people bagging and tagging mule deer in the draws due east of… 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.