MYRTLE BEACH, SC, USA
N96DM
BELL 206B
THE COMMERCIAL PILOT HAD COMPLETED A REVENUE FLIGHT WITH 3 PASSENGERS, AND WAS MAKING AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD, AND STRUCTURAL DAMAGE RESULTED. THE PILOT LATER REPORTED TO AN FAA INSPECTOR THAT HE HAD ATTEMPTED A STEEP APPROACH IN A TAILWIND CONDITION, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT POWER AVAILABLE TO ARREST THE SINK RATE. THE PILOT REPORTED THE SURFACE WINDS TO BE 6 TO 18 KNOTS, WITH GUSTS TO 27 KNOTS, AND SEVERE TURBULENCE. HE RECEIVED WEATHER INFO FROM DUATS AND ATIS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, AND REPORTED THAT A FAST MOVING COLD FRONT HAD PASSED JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS DURING THE APPROACH AND LANDING. FACTORS WERE THE GUSTS, TURBULENCE, AND TAILWIND CONDITIONS AT THE LANDING SITE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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