Bell 206 N83181

Summary

On 29 March 2019 at about 14:15 local time, a Bell 206 registered N83181, operated by Hummingbirds Inc, was involved in an accident near Valley Center, California, United States. 2 people were 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

29 March 2019 at 14:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Valley Center, California, United States

Coordinates

33.3172, -117.0436

Aircraft

Bell 206

Registration

N83181

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1973

Engines

1

Operator

Hummingbirds Inc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Valley Center → Valley Center

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA19CA186

1 person had minor injuries.

The ground crew’s attachment of the load fill hose to the helicopter without telling the pilot, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control during takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that, during reloading operations for an agricultural spray flight and while boarding the helicopter, which was positioned on top of the loading truck's platform, he saw that the load fill hose was not connected to the helicopter. However, before starting the helicopter, and unknown to the pilot, the ground crew connected the hose. During takeoff, the helicopter rotated about 180º to the right, the helicopter's right skid struck the truck's hood, and the helicopter then rolled right and impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.