Bell 206L-1 N177PA

Summary

On 23 November 2009 at about 18:15 local time, a Bell 206L-1 registered N177PA, operated by Papillon Airways Inc, was involved in an accident near Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

23 November 2009 at 18:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

35.8633, -112.0767

Aircraft

Bell 206L-1

Registration

N177PA

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Papillon Airways Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Grand Canyon → Grand Canyon

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR10CA064

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The certified flight instructor and pilot under instruction completed their helicopter external load training and landed the helicopter in a clear and level spot. Both pilots exited the helicopter, unhooked the external line, and verified the helicopter was clear of any skid entanglement. Both pilots reentered the helicopter. The pilot under instruction began to apply collective to lift the helicopter off the ground. As the helicopter started to come up, the left skid lifted first and the helicopter began to roll to the right. Both pilots applied full down collective and full left cyclic but the helicopter continued to roll over on its right side. The pilot stated that the helicopter and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the external load training portion of the flight

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.