Bell 206B N123WF

Summary

On 26 July 1997 at about 17:45 local time, a Bell 206B registered N123WF, operated by Westwind Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Pollock Pines, California, United States. 5 people were on board. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 July 1997 at 17:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Pollock Pines, California, United States

Nearest airport

Ribicon Camp Helipad

Coordinates

38.7398, -120.5702

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N123WF

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Westwind Helicopters

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Loon Lake → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX97LA262

Injuries not recorded.

the passenger's failure to recognize and avoid the hazard associated with the rotating tail rotor. The operator/event organizer's lack of ground facilities or support personnel to assist/control passenger access to the helipad was a related factor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The 7,000-hour chief pilot reported that the area was clear when he approached the helipad, which was located on private property. After touchdown, he reduced the throttle to ground idle and told his passengers it was safe to exit. The pilot did not report that any ground (crowd control) personnel were present to assist his passengers, and no barriers existed around the helipad area. Within less than one minute after the landing, a waiting passenger approached the helicopter from the rear. The prospective passenger became distracted due to the blowing dust and walked into the rotating tail rotor blades. Years earlier, the FAA published information alerting operators of the lack of rotating rotor blade conspicuity. Also to enhance safety, the FAA suggested that ground support personnel be available to assist passengers, and that placement of physical barriers around operation areas be placed to separate prospective passengers from hazards. No evidence was found that the helicopter operator had ground support personnel present to assist the prospective passenger, or that it had placed restricting access devices around the helipad area.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.