Bell 206B, N777CP: Accident occurred October 16, 2020 in Zephyrhills, Florida

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

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

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Orlando, Florida

Bell; Fort Worth, Texas

Rolls Royce; Indianapolis, Indianapolis 

Wild Goose Airways of Plant City LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N777CP

Location: Zephyrhills, FL

Accident Number: ERA21LA023

Date & Time: October 16, 2020, 15:15 Local

Registration: N777CP

Aircraft: Bell 206 

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under:

On October 16, 2020, about 1515 eastern daylight time, a Bell 206B, N777CP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Zephyrhills, Florida. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, about 15 minutes after departure he heard a “binding sound” and felt a reduction in engine power and a slight nose left yaw. He checked his engine instruments and noted no illumination of annunciator lights or engine warnings. The low rotor rpm aural alarm then sounded, and he initiated an autorotation to a swamp.

The helicopter came to rest amongst pine trees and undergrowth. The tailboom was impact separated and the main rotors were fractured about midspan.

The helicopter was recovered for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Bell

Registration: N777CP

Model/Series: 206 B 

Aircraft Category: Helicopter

Amateur Built: No

Operator:

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC 

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KZPH,90 ft msl 

Observation Time: 15:15 Local

Distance from Accident Site: 12 Nautical Miles

Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C /20°C

Lowest Cloud Condition: 

Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots / , 10°

Lowest Ceiling: None 

Visibility: 10 miles

Altimeter Setting: 29.98 inches Hg

Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR

Departure Point: Plant City, FL 

Destination: Jacksonville, FL (KCRG)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: N/A 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 None 

Latitude, Longitude: 28.338872,-81.958869