Bell 206L-1 N303CH

Summary

On 17 October 2002 at about 20:45 local time, a Bell 206L-1 registered N303CH was involved in an accident near Edinburg, Texas, United States. 5 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

17 October 2002 at 20:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Edinburg, Texas, United States

Coordinates

26.4419, -98.1294

Aircraft

Bell 206L-1

Registration

N303CH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

S. Padre Island → Edimburg

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW03LA015

1 person was seriously injured.

The loss of tailrotor effectiveness due to the right quartering tailwind, which resulted in a hard landing. Factors were the lack of suitable surrounding terrain for landing, which included numerous surrounding obstacles, and the tailwind.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter approached the staging and was on final approach heading south when a loss of tailrotor effectiveness was encountered. According to the pilot, during final approach, approximately 20 feet agl, he "ran out of pedal," and the helicopter started spinning to the right. The pilot stated that full left pedal was applied to stop the turn; however, the rate of turn continued to increase. The pilot attempted to attempted to gain forward airspeed; however, was unable due to surrounding obstacles. Subsequently, the helicopter landed hard and came to rest upright. The pilot stated that there was no mechanical malfunction of the helicopter. The nearest weather observation facility reported the wind from 150 degrees at 13 knots and the pilot reported that the wind was from 120 degrees at 12 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.