Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 accident near Hickory, KY
On July 11, 2016, a Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Hickory, KY. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- July 11, 2016
- Place
- Hickory, KY
- Aircraft
- Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 36.883°N, 88.679°W
- NTSB ID
- 20160711X32921
Official records · ERA16FA248
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn July 11, 2016, at 1123 central daylight time, a Bell 407, N427TV, collided with terrain during the approach to landing at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Mayfield Customer Service Center, Hickory, Kentucky. The commercial pilot was fatally injured, and the helicopter was substantially damaged by impact forces. The helicopter was registered to and operated by the TVA under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a business flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Outlaw Field Airport (CKV), Clarksville, Tennessee at 1048. According to TVA personnel, the pilot flew the helicopter from Knoxville, Tennessee, to CKV, refueled, and then flew to the TVA Customer Service Center to pick up a maintenance lineman for the purpose of inspecting power lines and equipment. According to a TVA lineman who witnessed the accident, there was a light wind from the south/southeast, and the helicopter appeared to be making its final approach from the north. The witness stated that there were no abnormalities in the helicopter's sound or position, until the helicopter was about 75 to 100 ft above the ground. He then observed the main rotor abruptly tilt to the right. Immediately after, the helicopter banked right, fell to the ground, and came to rest on its right side. The witness stated that he never lost sight of the helicopter and described the impact as very hard with no sliding or bouncing. He saw the rotor blades break apart. The witness then ran into the building to get help.
Probable cause
Company maintenance personnel's inappropriate removal without replacement of the safety wires on the collective lever pin screws during a recent maintenance inspection, which resulted in the screws backing out and led to a loss of collective control in flight.
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Browse: Kentucky
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
