BETTLES, AK, USA
N58129
BELL 206B-3
THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LIFT AN EXTERNAL LOAD. THE SLING CABLE WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE AFT PART OF THE RIGHT SKID. AS THE PILOT INCREASED THE HOVER HEIGHT, THE CABLE BECAME TAUT. HE ATTEMPTED TO JETTISON THE LOAD, BUT THE CABLE WOULD NOT RELEASE. HE THEN LANDED THE HELICOPTER ON THE EXTERNAL LOAD.
On July 20, 1995, at 1700 Alaska daylight time, a skid equipped, Bell 206 B-3 helicopter, N58129, registered to and operated by Tundra Helicopters of Fairbanks, Alaska, struck a skid on the ground while attempting to lift a sling load and landed on the external load, at Bettles, Alaska. The external load flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 133, was departing Bettles for a field mining site in the local area. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airline transport certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The helicopter received substantial damage. According to the statement provided by the pilot in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he was attempting to lift an external load with the helicopter. As he raised the helicopter to a hover, the sling load lift cable became wrapped around the right rear skid. He attempted to release the external load when the cyclic control travel reached the lateral stop. The load would not jettison. He then landed the helicopter on the external load.
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ENSURING THE SLING CABLE WAS FREE OF THE SKID BEFORE LIFTING OFF INTO A HOVER, WHICH ALLOWED THE CABLE TO BECOME WRAPPED (ENTANGLED) AROUND THE SKID.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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