UKIAH, CA, USA
N206HS
BELL 206A
The pilot stated that he was on approach to a ridge line landing zone. He said he was passing through translational lift at 20 knots and 70 feet when a gust of wind induced a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and a resultant loss of directional control. The pilot reported that the helicopter began to spin and he could not regain directional control prior to ground contact. After the impact sequence, a ground fire erupted which consumed the helicopter. The helicopter was an early model Bell 206A and was equipped with the small tail rotor.
On May 20, 1994, at 1530 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206A helicopter, N206HS, collided with the ground near Ukiah, California, following a loss of control during a landing approach. The helicopter was operated by the pilot and was on a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The helicopter was consumed by a postimpact ground fire. The certificated private pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from a private helipad near Piercy, California, about 1445 hours on the day of the accident as a personal flight to a private helipad at the accident site. In a telephone conversation, the pilot stated that he was on approach to a ridge line landing zone. He said he was passing through translational lift at 20 knots and 70 feet above ground when a gust of wind induced a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and a resultant loss of directional control. The pilot reported that the helicopter began to spin and he could not regain directional control prior to ground contact. After the impact sequence, a ground fire erupted which consumed the helicopter. The helicopter was an early model Bell 206A and was equipped with the small tail rotor.
the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness event and a subsequent loss of directional control.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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