CEDAR HILL, TX, USA
N3904N
BELL 206L-1
PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO CHECK FOR OIL LEAKS AFTER MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT AN ALT OF 50 TO 100 FT AGL, THE PLT NOTICED A '2 PER REV VIBRATION' AND DECIDED TO LAND IN A FIELD. WHEN APRX 5 FT AGL THE PLT FELT WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS A CG SHIFT AND THE RIGHT SKID CONTACTED THE GROUND. COLLECTIVE WAS THEN LOWERED, HOWEVER, CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER WAS LOST AND A POLL OVER RESULTED. THE PLT STATED THE VIBRATION WAS NOT SEVERE ENOUGH TO HAVE RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT BESIDE THE 2 FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS A 226 LB PASSENGER WAS IN THE RIGHT CENTER (REAR FACING) SEAT. THE PASSENGER STATED HE COULD NOT SEE MUCH FROM THE CENTER SEAT AND JUST PRIOR TO THE SKID CONTACT, HE MOVED TO THE RIGHT REAR (FORWARD FACING) SEAT. THIS WOULD ACCOUNT FOR THE REARWARD CG SHIFT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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