Bell 206B, N518Z, registered to and operated by Due North Aviation LLC: Accident occurred June 05, 2018 in Ghent, Carroll County, Kentucky

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

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Louisville, Kentucky
Rolls-Royce; Indianapolis, Indiana

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N518Z

Location: Sanders, KY
Accident Number: WPR18LA164
Date & Time: 06/05/2018, 1245 EDT
Registration: N518Z
Aircraft: BELL 206B
Injuries: 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Aerial Observation 

On June 5, 2018, about 1245 eastern daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N518Z, sustained substantial damage after a loss of engine power and subsequent hard landing near Sanders, Kentucky. The commercial pilot and sole passenger sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Due North Aviation LLC., under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the cross country aerial observation flight, which originated from the Madison Municipal Airport (IMS), Madison, Indiana about 1205 and was destined for a private field near Mt Orab, Ohio.

The pilot reported that while patrolling on the right side of the transmission power lines, about 120 ft above the ground and a ground speed about 35-40 knots, he heard the engine rpm decrease. He looked towards the instrument panel and noted that the low rotor RPM light was illuminated and heard the aural low RPM alert. After unsuccessfully completing remedial actions to regain rotor rpm, the pilot initiated an autorotation to a nearby landing area. The helicopter landed hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe.

The wreckage was transported to a secure facility for further examination. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: BELL
Registration: N518Z
Model/Series: 206B B
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator: DUE NORTH AVIATION LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KCVG, 883 ft msl
Observation Time: 1652 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 29 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 11°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 10000 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 14 knots, 280°
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 30000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.9 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: MADISON, IN (IMS)
Destination: Mount Orab, OH

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude:  38.660556, -85.053056 (est)