Bell 206B, Morris Equipment LLC, N914HH: Accident occurred November 10, 2016 in Yuma County, Arizona

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: http://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

MORRIS-EQUIPMENT LLC: http://registry.faa.gov/N914HH

FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Scottsdale FSDO-07

NTSB Identification: WPR17LA019
14 CFR Part 137: Agricultural
Accident occurred Thursday, November 10, 2016 in Yuma, AZ
Probable Cause Approval Date: 01/18/2017
Aircraft: BELL 206B, registration: N914HH
Injuries: 1 Serious.

NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The commercial pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to apply chemicals to adjacent fields. After applying four loads of chemicals, the pilot flew the helicopter back to the landing pad, which was situated on top of a box-truck, to load more chemicals. While attempting to maneuver the helicopter onto the center of the truck's pad, the right skid became caught on an access hole that ground personnel use to refill the load. The pilot was unaware of the problem and attempted to reposition the helicopter by lifting the right skid. The helicopter dynamically rolled over off the back of the truck and collided with terrain. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot’s inability to maintain helicopter control after its skid got caught on the landing pad while he was maneuvering the helicopter to land on it, which resulted in a dynamic roll-over.

On November 10, 2016 about 2345 mountain standard time, a Bell 206B3, N914HH, rolled from an elevated landing pad located on top of a truck and collided with the ground near Yuma, Arizona. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. The helicopter, operated by Morris Flying Service L.L.C, sustained substantial damage during the crash sequence. The helicopter was being operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. The helicopter departed the landing area about 10 minutes prior to the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the nighttime local aerial application flight, and a flight plan had not been filed.

The commercial pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to apply chemicals to the adjacent fields. After applying four loads of chemical that night, the pilot was returning back to the landing pad that was situated on top of a box truck where he could reload. While attempting to maneuver the helicopter onto the center of the truck's pad, the right skid became caught on an access hole (where ground personnel refill the load). The pilot was unaware of the problem and attempted to reposition the helicopter by lifting the right skid. The helicopter dynamically rolled over off the right rear of the truck and collided with terrain.

The pilot sustained injuries as a result of the accident sequence. He stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

AIRCRAFT: 1977 Bell B206, N914HH, Serial No. 2297

ENGINE:  Allison 250, Serial No. CAE-270108
  
APPROXIMATE TOTAL HOURS (estimated TT & TSMO from logbooks or other information)

ENGINE: 5446.4 TTSN, 1053.1 TSMOH,

 AIRFRAME:  13,108.9          

OTHER EQUIPMENT:     KX155, KT76A, Hemisphere GPS

DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT:  Helicopter skid struck the truck causing the helicopter to roll off the truck and onto the ground.

DESCRIPTION OF DAMAGES:    The helicopter sustained damages to the tailcone, main rotor blades, tail rotor, landing skids, cabin section and spray boom. 

LOCATION OF AIRCRAFT:   Air Transport, 3011 W Buckeye Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85009

REMARKS:    Inspection of aircraft is highly recommended. 

Read more here:   http://www.avclaims.com/N914HH.htm