Bell 206 Safety Record

the passenger's failure to recognize and avoid the hazard associated with the rotating tail rotor. The operator/event organizer's lack of ground facilities or support personnel to assist/control passenger access to the helipad was a related factor.

partial loss of engine power due to frog(s) being ingested into the engine. Factors relating to the accident were: the lack of altitude and lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision. A related factor was his failure to follow the company procedure of maintaining visual contact with the external long-line cable, while hovering with it attached.

the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision and failure to maintain adequate altitude and/or clearance from rising mountainous/hilly terrain. The unfavorable wind condition and low airspeed were related factors.

The failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other's aircraft. Factors were the failure of the pilot of N2773A to use the available traffic advisory service and the failure of the operator of N2773A to make the use of traffic advisory services a company standard operating procedure.

the improper torque meter installation by maintenance personnel, attempting flight with known discrepancies by the pilot-in-command and the check airman, and an improper autorotation by the pilot-in-command with improper oversight of the autorotation maneuver by the check airman.

The pilots improper in-flight planning/decision to conduct an out of ground effect hover with a tailwind resulting in an in-flight loss of directional control due to loss of tailrotor effectiveness/unanticipated right yaw, and subsequent in-flight collision with a tree and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the manufactures inadequate written procedures in the flight manual, and the pilot's inadequate training pertaining to the loss of tailrotor effectiveness/unanticipated right yaw.

the noninstrument-rated pilot flew into instrument conditions and failed to maintain adequate terrain clearance, while attempting to descend through an overcast. The adverse weather conditions and mountainous terrain were related factors.

The pilot misjudging the distance of the intended touchdown point resulting in his intentional decrease in the main rotor rpm to clear obstacles below. Contributing to the accident was the total loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons.

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. A factor was the tailwind condition and the pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed.

The pilot's encounter with instrument meteorological conditions, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control due to the loss of visual cues to detect his height above the water. Factors were the low ceilings and fog, and the loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

improper routing of the external cargo hoist cable (over helicopter skid), which resulted in lateral imbalance and roll-over of the helicopter, as weight on the cable became effective.

the pilot's inadequate preflight by failing to remove the 100 foot long line and the external cargo basket from the helicopter before takeoff, and/or his failure to ensure that clearance/altitude was maintained from the fence.

loss of power for undetermined reason(s). A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot was operating outside height/velocity curve parameters, when the loss of power occurred.

a loss of engine power due to frogs being ingested into the engine as a result of the pilots failure to perform a thorough preflight, and the pilot's improper touchdown technique.