Bell 212 accident near Willow Creek, CA
On July 21, 2009, a Bell 212 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Willow Creek, CA. 1 person died.
- Date
- July 21, 2009
- Place
- Willow Creek, CA
- Aircraft
- Bell 212 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- —
- Position
- 40.946°N, 123.632°W
- NTSB ID
- 20090720X02055
Official records · WPR09TA356
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On July 21, 2009, at 1010 Pacific daylight time, a helitack firefighter was killed during an un arrested descent during a rappelling operation from a Bell 212 helicopter, N212HP, near Willow Creek, California. The airline transport pilot, spotter and three remaining rappellers were not injured. The helicopter was operating under contract to the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service by Heli-1 Corporation, as a visual flight rules (VFR) public use flight, in support of firefighting efforts, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. The flight originated from a helibase at Willow Creek at 1004; no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The helicopter was not damaged. A representative from the US Forest Service reported that the purpose of the flight was to conduct proficiency rappel training (required every 14 days for helitack crew members that are not actively conducting operational rappel assignments) from the helicopter. The rappelling equipment utilized in this operation consists of a harness, Tri-link, J-hook, O-ring/Kong clip and Sky Genie. The Sky Genie is a descent control device that is connected to a 1/2-inch diameter, 250-foot long, braided nylon rappel rope. Normally, the harness is attached to the Tri-Link, and the Tri-link is mechanically linked to the J-hook, which is mechanically clipped to the Sky Genie and rope. The Kong clip/O-ring (non load bearing) is used to center the J-hook at the apex of the Tri-link in an effort to avoid side loading during rappel operations. Prior to commencin
Probable cause
The rappeller's failure to properly latch the rappelling harness to the rappelling assembly before exiting the helicopter.
More accidents in CA
- Douglas MD-83, Feb 1, 2000
- Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32, Aug 31, 1986
- British Aerospace BAE-146-200, Dec 8, 1987
- Beech C-99, Aug 24, 1984
- Sikorsky S-61N, Aug 6, 2008
Browse: California · 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.
