Bell 206B N96DM

Summary

On 27 April 1993 at about 18:00 local time, a Bell 206B registered N96DM, operated by Donald E. Mullis, was involved in an accident near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States. 4 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 April 1993 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States

Coordinates

33.6891, -78.8899

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N96DM

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Donald E. Mullis

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

N. Myrtle Beach → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL93LA083

1 person was seriously injured.

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS DURING THE APPROACH AND LANDING. FACTORS WERE THE GUSTS, TURBULENCE, AND TAILWIND CONDITIONS AT THE LANDING SITE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT HAD COMPLETED A REVENUE FLIGHT WITH 3 PASSENGERS, AND WAS MAKING AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD, AND STRUCTURAL DAMAGE RESULTED. THE PILOT LATER REPORTED TO AN FAA INSPECTOR THAT HE HAD ATTEMPTED A STEEP APPROACH IN A TAILWIND CONDITION, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT POWER AVAILABLE TO ARREST THE SINK RATE. THE PILOT REPORTED THE SURFACE WINDS TO BE 6 TO 18 KNOTS, WITH GUSTS TO 27 KNOTS, AND SEVERE TURBULENCE. HE RECEIVED WEATHER INFO FROM DUATS AND ATIS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, AND REPORTED THAT A FAST MOVING COLD FRONT HAD PASSED JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.