Bell 206B accident near Rosenberg, TX
On May 12, 2002, a Bell 206B (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Rosenberg, TX. 4 people were seriously injured. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- May 12, 2002
- Place
- Rosenberg, TX
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 0 fatal, 4 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 29.524°N, 95.775°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020513X00666
Official records · FTW02LA143
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On May 11, 2002, approximately 1900 central daylight time, a Bell 206B, single-engine helicopter, N717NH, impacted the terrain while maneuvering near Rosenberg, Texas. The helicopter was owned and operated by Jet Air, Inc., of Houston, Texas, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The airline transport rated pilot and three passengers received serious injuries, and one passenger received minor injuries. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned cross-country flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The 11,000-hour pilot reported that after a south departure following a "normal takeoff" into the prevailing wind, he initiated a left turn at approximately 300 feet indicated altitude and felt "vibrations" and the next thing he remembered, "he was on the ground." The pilot did not claim any mechanical malfunction on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). The FAA inspector, who responded to the site, reported structural damage throughout the airframe of the helicopter. The wreckage of the helicopter was conditionally released for recovery to the Air Salvage of Dallas (ASOD) facility in Lancaster, Texas, for further examination and evaluation. An examination of the fuselage revealed physical evidence consistent with downward compression and crushing with deformation left of the fuselage centerline. The left horizontal stabilizer exhibited physical evidence of ground impact, while the right horizontal stabilizer was not damaged. The
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance.
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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.
