Bell 206B N4237M

Summary

On 20 April 2013 at about 17:40 local time, a Bell 206B registered N4237M, operated by Reeder Flying Service, was involved in an accident near Wells, Nevada, United States. 2 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

20 April 2013 at 17:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Wells, Nevada, United States

Coordinates

41.3658, -114.9983

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N4237M

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Reeder Flying Service

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Air Drop

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wells → Wells

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR13CA204

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle while maneuvering at a low altitude.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was flying the helicopter to specific locations within hilly sage and brush covered terrain in order for his passenger to set mining claim stakes at various intervals. Movement between the stake locations was typically conducted at a low altitude. The pilot stated that as he flew the helicopter over the crest of a hill, he felt the helicopter shudder and vibrate, and he initiated an autorotation to an open field. After what he described as an uneventful landing, the pilot noticed that the tailrotor and its drive shaft were damaged. The pilot further reported that he noticed a bush with several broken branches that was located along the helicopter's flight path, and he believed that the tailrotor struck that bush while he was maneuvering. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.