Bell 407 N408UH

Summary

On 22 November 2010 at about 20:15 local time, a Bell 407 registered N408UH, operated by Air Methods, was involved in an accident near Riverdale, Utah, 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

22 November 2010 at 20:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Riverdale, Utah, United States

Coordinates

41.1653, -111.9989

Aircraft

Bell 407

Registration

N408UH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Air Methods

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ogden → Riverdale

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11LA056

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a highway marker sign while maneuvering.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the intent of the air medical flight was to respond to an automobile accident to pick up a patient for medical transport. Prior to landing at the accident scene, he performed an aerial reconnaissance of the intended landing area on a highway and noted the wind conditions and all pertinent obstacles. The pilot initiated a high-angle approach perpendicular to the highway, and prior to touchdown he noted the landing area was sloped downward. As the pilot performed a pedal turn to reposition the helicopter, the tail rotor contacted a highway reflector pole. He reduced the throttle and initiated a hovering auto rotation, during which the helicopter landed hard on the highway. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the tail rotor and tail rotor gearbox were substantially damaged. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.