Thursday, July 08, 2021

Bell 212, N911KW: Accident occurred July 07, 2021 in Weed, Siskiyou County, California

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 Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Sacramento, California

Rogers Helicopters Inc


Location: Weed, CA
Accident Number: WPR21LA268
Date & Time: July 7, 2021, 14:50 Local
Registration: N911KW
Aircraft: Bell 212
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 133: Rotorcraft ext. load

On July 7, 2021, about 1450 pacific daylight time, a Bell 212 helicopter, N911KW, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Weed, California. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 133, external load flight. The pilot reported that he was on approach to a lake to retrieve water for a water bucket drop operation.
As he continued the approach, about 400 feet above the ground, the instruments scanned normal. When the helicopter crossed the shoreline, he placed his head in the left door bubble and visualized that the 100-foot line and bucket were slightly trailing the helicopter. Shortly after, he felt a “stronger than typical” lateral “one per” revolution vibration. He aborted the water retrieval and intended to return to base, however, the helicopter began to settle. He applied forward cyclic input and raised the collective, but the helicopter continued to descend. He quickly realized that he would not fly out of the descent, so he concentrated on a forced water landing. After he leveled the helicopter and the skids touched down on the water, he made a last attempt to takeoff, but the helicopter settled in the lake. He reduced both throttle settings to idle in preparation to ditch the helicopter and applied right cyclic as the main rotors slowed. The helicopter rolled right, and the main rotor blades struck the water. He waited for movement to cease and then exited out the left door and swam safely to shore. The helicopter was submerged in the lake.

The helicopter was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Bell
Registration: N911KW
Model/Series: 212 
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator:
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Rotorcraft external load (133)
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSIY,2651 ft msl
Observation Time: 14:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 16 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 34°C /-4°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / 17 knots, 330°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.96 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: Dunsmuir, CA (1O6)
Destination: Weed, CA

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 41.528539,-122.37988 (est)

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