# NTSB WPR22LA031: Bell 206L-3, N27TK, Covelo, CA, October 28, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 28, 2021, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Covelo, CA - Coordinates: 39.7905, -123.26633 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7905&lon=-123.2663&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 104227 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104227/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104227 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA031 ## Probable cause A passenger’s unsecured object departed the cabin resulted in a collision with the tail rotor drive shaft. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: debris/dirt/foreign object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: understanding/comprehension](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041515): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Passenger (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041515/cases.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041515/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the helicopter reported that, he was conducting a local area photography/video flight with passengers. Before departure he had removed the doors and provided a preflight safety briefing, which included briefing his passengers on securing their belongings. While in cruise flight, a passenger’s jacked departed the helicopter and became lodged on the synchronized elevator. The pilot simultaneously felt an impact and noted resistance against the cyclic control. A precautionary landing was made without further incident. The tail rotor drive shaft was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N27TK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27TK), registered now, S/N 51138, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206L-3 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Bell 206L-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l-3) (registry code 1182108) (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: 51138 - Year built: 1985 - Airframe hours: 14046 - Engines: Rolls Royce C250-030P 650 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Helico Sonoma Inc. - Registered owner: National Rotorcraft LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 2021, 45.4 hours before - Departed: UKI, Ukiah, CA - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: UKI, Ukiah Muni - Equipment: ADS-B, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor, private; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 22, 2021; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,701 total, 87 in this make and model, 88 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: KUKI, 40 nm away - METAR: KUKI 281856Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 19/12 A3018 RMK AO2 SLP215 T01890122 ## 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 20211028018029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211028018029A), Oct 28, 2021: Bell 206L-3, Covelo, CA, Substantial damage. 11/10/2021 Received report of a helicopter incident that that took place near Covelo, California on 10/28/2021 The incident included 4 persons including the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 8, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104227. 3.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13184867&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 302 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13183227&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.pdf 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.