Bell 206B N108RL

Summary

On 24 April 1998 at about 21:45 local time, a Bell 206B registered N108RL, operated by Lonnie G. Jensen, was involved in an accident near Jasper, Texas, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 April 1998 at 21:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Jasper, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Jasper County-Bell Field (JAS)

Coordinates

33.0895, -96.8805

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N108RL

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Lonnie G. Jensen

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98LA195

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's encounter with a dynamic rollover after the toe of the left skid became caught on a trailer, while attempting to land the trailer. A related factor was: the pilot's perception of pressure, which was induced by a need to perform a scheduled inspection.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, a 100-hour inspection of the helicopter was due, and ground handling wheels were not available to ground handle the helicopter into the hangar for the scheduled maintenance. The mechanic asked the pilot to reposition the helicopter on a utility trailer, equipped with 18 inch side rails, so the helicopter could be taken to the hangar. The pilot's reasoning was influenced by the fact that the helicopter was scheduled for an aerial application flight the next morning. While landing on the trailer, the toe of the left skid became caught under the side rail of the trailer, and the helicopter encountered a dynamic rollover. The main rotor blades contacted the ground, and the helicopter came to rest on its left side.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.