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Location:
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Patterson, Louisiana
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Accident Number:
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CEN21LA456
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Date & Time:
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September 25, 2021, 06:55 Local
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Registration:
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N662RL
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Aircraft:
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Bell 407
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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|
Defining Event:
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Ground collision
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Injuries:
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3 None
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Flight Conducted Under:
Part 135: Air taxi & commuter - Non-scheduled
Analysis
While hovering from the helicopter pad to reposition for takeoff, the pilot backed up the helicopter. During a pedal turn, the tail rotor contacted another helicopter’s main rotor blades, which was parked and located behind on another pad. The pilot reported she felt a strong jolt to the left, and the helicopter began to spin. The pilot lowered the collective, reduced throttle, and the helicopter came to rest upright adjacent to the helicopter pad.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a parked helicopter while hovering to reposition for takeoff.
Findings
Personnel issues
Environmental issues
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Monitoring environment - Pilot
Aircraft - Awareness of condition
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Factual Information
History of Flight
Taxi-into takeoff position Ground collision (Defining event)
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Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Commercial; Flight instructor
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Age:
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25,Female
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|
Airplane Rating(s):
|
None
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Seat Occupied:
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Right
|
|
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Restraint Used:
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4-point
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|
Instrument Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Second Pilot Present:
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No
|
|
Instructor Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Toxicology Performed:
|
|
|
Medical Certification:
|
Class 1 Without waivers/limitations
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
|
October 8, 2020
|
|
Occupational Pilot:
|
Yes
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
|
May 1, 2021
|
|
Flight Time:
|
1479 hours (Total, all aircraft), 255 hours (Total, this make and model), 1479 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 142 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 36 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
|
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
|
Bell
|
Registration:
|
N662RL
|
|
Model/Series:
|
407
|
Aircraft Category:
|
Helicopter
|
|
Year of Manufacture:
|
1997
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Amateur Built:
|
|
|
Airworthiness Certificate:
|
Normal
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Serial Number:
|
53203
|
|
Landing Gear Type:
|
None; Skid
|
Seats:
|
7
|
|
Date/Type of Last Inspection:
|
September 24, 2021 AAIP
|
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
|
5250 lbs
|
|
Time Since Last Inspection:
|
|
Engines:
|
1 Turbo shaft
|
|
Airframe Total Time:
|
25222 Hrs as of last inspection
|
Engine Manufacturer:
|
Rolls Royce
|
|
ELT:
|
C126 installed, not activated
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Engine Model/Series:
|
250-C30
|
|
Registered Owner:
|
|
Rated Power:
|
650 Horsepower
|
|
Operator:
|
|
Operating Certificate(s) Held:
|
Commuter air carrier (135)
|
|
Operator Does Business As:
|
RLC, LLC
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Operator Designator Code:
|
YTRA
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
|
Conditions at Accident Site:
|
Visual (VMC)
|
Condition of Light:
|
Day
|
|
Observation Facility, Elevation:
|
KPTN,9 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
|
1 Nautical Miles
|
|
Observation Time:
|
07:01 Local
|
Direction from Accident Site:
|
18°
|
|
Lowest Cloud Condition:
|
Few / 200 ft AGL
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Visibility
|
0.25 miles
|
|
Lowest Ceiling:
|
Visibility (RVR):
|
|
|
Wind Speed/Gusts:
|
/ Turbulence Type
Forecast/Actual:
|
None / None
|
|
Wind Direction:
|
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
|
N/A / N/A
|
|
Altimeter Setting:
|
30.11 inches Hg
|
Temperature/Dew Point:
|
14°C / 14°C
|
|
Precipitation and Obscuration:
|
Moderate - None - Mist
|
|
|
Departure Point:
|
Patterson, LA
|
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
|
Company VFR
|
|
Destination:
|
Type of Clearance:
|
VFR
|
|
Departure Time:
|
Type of Airspace:
|
Class G
|
Airport Information
|
Airport:
|
HARRY P WILLIAMS MEML PTN
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Runway Surface Type:
|
|
|
Airport Elevation:
|
8 ft msl
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Runway Surface Condition:
|
Dry
|
|
Runway Used:
|
|
IFR Approach:
|
None
|
|
Runway Length/Width:
|
|
VFR Approach/Landing:
|
None
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Wreckage and Impact Information
|
Crew Injuries:
|
1 None
|
Aircraft Damage:
|
Substantial
|
|
Passenger Injuries:
|
2 None
|
Aircraft Fire:
|
None
|
|
Ground Injuries:
|
|
Aircraft Explosion:
|
None
|
|
Total Injuries:
|
3 None
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Latitude, Longitude:
|
29.709043,-91.335891(est)
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Administrative Information
|
Investigator In Charge (IIC):
|
Sauer, Aaron
|
|
|
Additional Participating Persons:
|
Michael Wilson; FAA; Baton Rouge, LA
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|
|
Original Publish Date:
|
November 16, 2021 Investigation Class:
|
4
|
|
Note:
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The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
|
|
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Investigation Docket:
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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103974
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