Bell 206B N9ZV

Summary

On 31 July 2007 at about 18:05 local time, a Bell 206B registered N9ZV was involved in an accident near Columbia, Missouri, 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

31 July 2007 at 18:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Columbia, Missouri, United States

Coordinates

38.8167, -92.2167

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N9ZV

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Executive/Corporate

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Columbia → Springfield

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI07CA244

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter, which resulted in impact with terrain during takeoff. A factor in the accident was the tall grass.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during takeoff. The pilot stated that the helicopter was to be loaded with one passenger in the left seat and a 167 lb part behind the pilot. The part was loaded onto the helicopter and the pilot was then informed that the passenger would not be riding in the helicopter. Because of a "time deadline," the pilot decided to fly the helicopter from the left seat instead of the right in order to "have a good lateral C.G." During takeoff, the pilot reported that the helicopter started "sinking toward the ground" and that he was "over controlling the cyclic." The helicopter's skids came in contact with tall grass and tipped "very far forward." The pilot tried to level the helicopter with the cyclic, the tail "fell rapidly," and the helicopter subsequently impacted terrain and rolled over on its right side. The pilot stated in his accident report that the accident could have been prevented had he taken the time to get help to move the load to the co-pilot's side. He reported that it would have solved his lateral C.G. problem and he would be flying the helicopter from his normal position.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.