Bell 206L-1 N74AE

Summary

On 21 September 2003 at about 02:03 local time, a Bell 206L-1 registered N74AE was involved in an accident near Shoals, Indiana, United States. 3 people were 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

21 September 2003 at 02:03

Classification

Accident

Location

Shoals, Indiana, United States

Coordinates

38.6597, -86.7892

Aircraft

Bell 206L-1

Registration

N74AE

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Washington → Shoals

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

CHI03LA319

Nobody was injured.

The pilot not maintaining a proper descent rate during the touchdown once visual reference was reduced by the dust in the rotor downwash. Factors were the dusty gravel landing area and the pilot's visual lookout not being possible due to the dust the rotor downwash raised.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The air medical helicopter sustained substantial damage during a hard landing in a gravel lot. The pilot stated, "At approximately 10 feet above the ground, while on approach, I noticed some dust blowing. ... At approximately five to seven feet above the ground, the dust situation compounded itself and I lost all visual reference. I held what I had on the controls and let the aircraft settle to the ground. The aircraft contacted the ground in a level attitude and slid approximately 5 feet forward. The aircraft landed slightly harder than normal." The pilot said, "At the time of landing, no damage was observed after inspection with flashlight. Damage was found after subsequent flight by another pilot."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.