Bell 206B N261BH

Summary

On 11 September 2007 at about 14:00 local time, a Bell 206B registered N261BH, operated by Southland Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Nokomis, Florida, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 died, 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

11 September 2007 at 14:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Nokomis, Florida, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N261BH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Southland Helicopters

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sarasota → Sarasota

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA07FA147

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot was performing the last of six photo shoots of a boat. The boat did not have a functioning GPS for an accurate speed indication and speed coordination between the boat and helicopter operator was made by hand signals. During the photo shoot, the helicopter maneuvered in front of the boat, to the left, in a slight right yaw, and about 10 feet above the water. The boat was traveling at an estimated speed of 85 mph at that time. Witnesses on the boat observed the helicopter gradually flying lower until the helicopter’s skid impacted the water. The recovered wreckage of the helicopter’s airframe and engine were examined. No evidence of preimpact abnormalities with the helicopter were found.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.