Bell 206L-3 N42489

Summary

On 24 July 1998 at about 22:15 local time, a Bell 206L-3 registered N42489, operated by U.s. Forest Service, was involved in an accident near Reklaw, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 July 1998 at 22:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Reklaw, Texas, United States

Coordinates

31.8595, -94.9807

Aircraft

Bell 206L-3

Registration

N42489

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

U.s. Forest Service

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98TA328

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment in that the external load was not centered during sling operation, which resulted in entanglement of the load with the landing gear, and the loss of aircraft control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter was being used to perform sling load operations, transporting water to a fire in a bambi bucket. After completing a bucket drop on a fire, the pilot returned to the dip site and made an approach to a hover over the water. A witness observed the helicopter come in for the dip and 'the bucket was way back dragging across the water.' As the helicopter was lifting the bucket, it 'tipped to the passenger side and the rotor immediately hit the water.' The helicopter came to rest in the pond on its left side. Examination of the helicopter by the FAA inspector revealed witness marks, which were matched to the water bucket's cable, on the outside of the left skid just aft of the aft cross tube.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.