# NTSB SEA07CA069: Bell 206 B3, N150SP, Custer, MT, March 5, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 5, 2007, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Custer, MT
- Coordinates: 46.128887, -107.551109
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1289&lon=-107.5511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65368
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65368/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA069

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance between the tail rotor of his helicopter and a piece of farm equipment during the landing sequence.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - other (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

While landing his helicopter at a cattle feeding lot, the pilot failed to maintain clearance from a piece of farm equipment that had been parked near the location that he chose to land at. While less than 10 feet above his landing spot, the pilot inadvertently allowed the tail rotor of the helicopter to come in contact with the piece of equipment.

## Factual narrative

While landing his helicopter at a cattle feeding lot, the pilot failed to maintain clearance from a piece of farm equipment that had been parked near the location that he chose to land at. While less than 10 feet above his landing spot, the pilot inadvertently allowed the tail rotor of the helicopter to impact the piece of equipment.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N150SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N150SP-2018-02-08), registration cancelled 2018-02-08, S/N 2216, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 206 B3
- 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: 2216
- Engines: Allison 250-C20J turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dan S. Scott
- Registered owner: Tongue Canyon Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Dayton, WY
- Destination: Custer, MT
- Airport: NONE, Private property

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 8,000 total, 510 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20070305002689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070305002689A), Mar 5, 2007: Bell 206B, Custer, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) While landing his helicopter at a cattle feed lot, the pilot failed to maintain clearance from a piece of farm equipment that had been parked near the…

## Other investigations on N150SP (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 WPR13FA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA208), Apr 27, 2013: Bell 206B (N150SP), Shepherd, MT, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of control while maneuvering during low-altitude operations due to sudden neurological impairment or incapacitation and the helicopter’s subsequent collision with power lines.

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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