Bell 206L-1 accident near Flower Mound, TX
On April 2, 1995, a Bell 206L-1 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Flower Mound, TX. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- April 2, 1995
- Place
- Flower Mound, TX
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L-1 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 2 serious, 4 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 33.030°N, 97.059°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001207X03274
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 1, 1995, approximately 2120 central standard time, a Bell 206L-1 helicopter, N701EC, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing after impacting a power line near Flower Mound, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot and three passengers received minor injuries, two passenger were seriously injured, and one passenger was fatally injured. The helicopter was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated earlier in the day from Dallas Love Field (DAL), Dallas, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal night flight. The pilot reported the following information to the investigator-in-charge. During a hovering turn to the north the pilot noted "excellent torque above 90 percent with good temp." The helicopter took off from the Circle R Ranch to the north. During the takeoff at approximately 100 feet above ground level (AGL), torque was reduced to 85 percent for the climb. The helicopter began to descend and power (collective) was increased to arrest the descent; however, the descent continued. To avoid houses and trees, the pilot initiated a turn to the east. As the pilot continued the turn towards the south over the Farm to Market (FM) 1171, he observed wires. The pilot "pitched up" the helicopter and increased collective to clear the wires. The pilot attempted to clear the wires; but, as the helicopter continued towards the south it struck the top wire. During the attempted landing the pilot determined he had tail rotor control and "stabilized"
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER WIND EVALUATION, AND IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN PROCEDURE, RESULTING IN DYNAMIC ROLLOVER OF THE HELICOPTER. FACTORS WERE THE TAILWIND, DARK NIGHT, AND THE LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE AT NIGHT.
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Browse: Texas · Bell aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
