- Date
- March 18, 1996, 08:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place
- La Grande, OR
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N57362Bell 206B
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report July 25, 1996
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19960318004239A
- Case key
- 42347
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with trees after pulling up from an aerial application spray run.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot reported that after performing a low-altitude aerial application spray run, he initiated a climb to clear trees. The left spray boom impacted one of the trees and the helicopter began to rotate to the right. The pilot applied full left pedal, but the helicopter continued to rotate to the right. The pilot initiated an emergency descent while trying to avoid obstacles. The helicopter impacted the ground while rotating and rolled over.
Factual narrative
On March 18, 1996, about 0800 Pacific standard time, N57362, a Bell 206B helicopter, operated by Pioneer Aviation, Inc., La Grande, Oregon, impacted trees and terrain and was substantially damaged while maneuvering near La Grande. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The aerial application flight was conducted under 14 CFR 137.
The pilot reported that after performing a low-altitude aerial application spray run, he initiated a climb to clear trees. The left spray boom impacted one of the trees and the helicopter began to rotate to the right. The pilot applied full left pedal, but the helicopter continued to rotate to the right.
The pilot further stated:
My main objective was to continue to maintain control of the helicopter in order to avoid injury to the surrounding residents or damage to structures. I reduced the pitch on the main blade with the collective to slow rotation of the helicopter just enough to stay clear of the trees. Using the cyclic and collective I milked my way toward the middle of the field, southwest of the trees. I continued to work the pedals with no response. The helicopter continued to rotate while descending to land. The ship maintained a level attitude throughout the decent until the skids impacted the ground. After hitting the ground, the helicopter sprung up and rolled over, coming to rest on the left side.
According to an FAA aviation safety inspector from Boise, Idaho, the cabin and tail boom were substantially damaged. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were reported.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N57362
- Reported as
- Bell 206B
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 3017
- Airframe hours
- 5,514
- Engine
- Allison 250-C20B, 420 horsepower, turbo shaft
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Operator
- Pioneer Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner
- Knight Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · February 18, 1996 · 25 hours before
- Departed
- LGD · OR
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 39
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 3,174 total
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 32 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- LGD
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.