GRAND PRAIRIE, TX, USA
N995KP
BELL 206BII
THE PILOT HOVER TAXIED THE HELICOPTER OFF THE RUNWAY WITH A 10 TO 18 KNOT GUSTY TAILWIND OVER A FRESHLY MOWED GRASSY AREA. HE RAPIDLY APPLIED COLLECTIVE PITCH AND UNDERSPED THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM. THE GOVERNOR CONTROL ARM MOVEMENT BECAME RESTRICTED DUE TO POOR SERVICING AND QUALITY CONTROL BY COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. MAIN ROTOR RPM COULD NOT BE REGAINED AND THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED. THE PILOT OVER FLARED THE HELICOPTER CAUSING THE TAIL ROTOR TO STRIKE THE GROUND AND MAIN ROTOR BLADE FLEXED DOWNWARD AND SEVERED THE TAILBOOM. A HARD LANDING RESULTED.
THE PILOT'S DECISION TO EXECUTE AN ABRUPT MANEUVER WHILE HOVERING DOWNWIND, WHICH LED TO A REDUCTION IN ROTOR RPM AND SUBSEQUENT HARD LANDING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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