# NTSB WPR20LA331: Bell 206, N91TA, Randle, WA, September 9, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 9, 2020, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Randle, WA
- Coordinates: 46.281154, -121.42271 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2812&lon=-121.4227&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 102112
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20LA331
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102112/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA331

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while conducting an external load operation.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause)

## Analysis

The commercial pilot reported that, while hovering the helicopter and maneuvering aft about 60 ft above ground level during an external load operation, the tail rotor impacted a tree. He immediately lost yaw control, and the helicopter began to rapidly turn right. The main rotor then impacted trees, and the helicopter spun to the ground. The helicopter was destroyed by a postcrash fire. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-hover: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91TA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91TA-2022-12-19), registration cancelled 2022-12-19, S/N 3310, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206 (B)
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 317HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-317hp) (registry code 03011, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3310
- Year built: 1981
- Airframe hours: 11222.5
- Engines: Rolls-Royce 250-C-20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: External load, Part 133
- Operator: Hagerman, Jess
- Registered owner: Northwest Helicopters I INC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 2020
- Departed: Randle WA Fire Station, WA
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: WN55, Randle-Kiona Airpark
- Equipment: ADS-B, Satellite tracking device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 77; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2019; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 30,542 total, 23,136 in this make and model, 30,105 as pilot in command, 108 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 3009.00 inHg
- Observed at: KCLS, 53 nm away

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.