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Location:
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Lakeland, Florida
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Accident Number:
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ERA25LA059
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Date & Time:
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November 21, 2024, 11:35 Local
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Registration:
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N422RH
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Aircraft:
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Bell 206B
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Defining Event:
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Loss of tail rotor effectiveness
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Injuries:
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1 None
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Flight Conducted Under:
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Part 91: General aviation - Positioning
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Analysis
The pilot reported that during the approach to land, he initiated a left turn to align with the wind and landing pad when the helicopter entered an uncommanded right spin. He attributed the loss of control to an 18-knot tailwind and described the event as consistent with a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. He was unable to regain control, and the helicopter descended in a spiraling right turn before impacting the ground. A post-accident review of photographs by the NTSB investigator confirmed that the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident 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 yaw control during a tailwind approach, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, an uncommanded spin, and subsequent hard landing.
Findings
Aircraft Yaw control - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Environmental issues Tailwind - Effect on operation
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing Loss of tail rotor effectiveness (Defining event)
Landing-flare/touchdown Hard landing
Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Private
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Age:
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71,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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Single-engine land
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Seat Occupied:
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Right
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Restraint Used:
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3-point
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Instrument Rating(s):
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None
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Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
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None
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Toxicology Performed:
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|
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Medical Certification:
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BasicMed None
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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January 10, 2024
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|
Occupational Pilot:
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Yes
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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May 20, 2024
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Flight Time:
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(Estimated) 5500 hours (Total, all aircraft), 40 hours (Total, this make and model)
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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Bell
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Registration:
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N422RH
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Model/Series:
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206B
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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|
Year of Manufacture:
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1981
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Amateur Built:
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|
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Normal
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Serial Number:
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3249
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Landing Gear Type:
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None; High skid
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Seats:
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5
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Date/Type of Last
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May 20, 2024 100 hour
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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3250 lbs
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Inspection:
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|
|
|
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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|
Engines:
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1 Turbo shaft
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Airframe Total Time:
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4875 Hrs at time of accident
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Engine Manufacturer:
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ALLISON
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ELT:
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C91 installed, not activated
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Engine Model/Series:
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250 SER 250HP
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Registered Owner:
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On file
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Rated Power:
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250 Horsepower
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Operator:
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On file
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Operating Certificate(s)
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None
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|
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Held:
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|
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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Visual (VMC)
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Condition of Light:
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Day
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Observation Facility, Elevation:
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LAL,142 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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2 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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12:50 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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281°
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Clear
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Visibility
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10 miles
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Lowest Ceiling:
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None
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Visibility (RVR):
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|
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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11 knots / None
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Turbulence Type
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None / None
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|
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Forecast/Actual:
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|
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Wind Direction:
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350°
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Turbulence Severity
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N/A / N/A
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|
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Forecast/Actual:
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|
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Altimeter Setting:
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29.97 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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18°C / 4°C
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Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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|
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Departure Point:
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Brookville, FL (BKV)
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Lakeland, FL (LAL)
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Type of Clearance:
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None
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|
Departure Time:
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11:00 Local
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Type of Airspace:
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Class B
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Airport Information
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Airport:
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LAKELAND LINDER INTL LAL
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Runway Surface Type:
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|
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Airport Elevation:
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141 ft msl
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Runway Surface Condition:
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Dry
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Runway Used:
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IFR Approach:
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None
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Runway Length/Width:
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|
VFR Approach/Landing:
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Full stop
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 None
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Passenger
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N/A
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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|
Injuries:
|
|
|
|
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Ground Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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1 None
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Latitude,
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27.994381,-82.015738(est)
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|
|
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Longitude:
|
|
Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
|
Alleyne, Eric
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Additional Participating
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Jim Holmes; FAA/FSDO; Orlando, FL
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|
Persons:
|
|
|
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Original Publish Date:
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July 3, 2025
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|
Last Revision Date:
|
|
|
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Investigation Class:
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Class 4
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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=195549
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in other modes of transportation— railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. We determine the probable causes of the accidents and events we investigate, and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences. In addition, we conduct transportation safety research studies and offer information and other assistance to family members and survivors for each accident or event we investigate. We also serve as the appellate authority for enforcement actions involving aviation and mariner certificates issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and US Coast Guard, and we adjudicate appeals of civil penalty actions taken by the FAA.
The NTSB does not assign fault or blame for an accident or incident; rather, as specified by NTSB regulation, “accident/incident investigations are fact-finding proceedings with no formal issues and no adverse parties … and are not conducted for the purpose of determining the rights or liabilities of any person” (Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations section 831.4). Assignment of fault or legal liability is not relevant to the NTSB’s statutory mission to improve transportation safety by investigating accidents and incidents and issuing safety recommendations. In addition, statutory language prohibits the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report related to an accident in a civil action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report (Title 49 United States Code section 1154(b)). A factual report that may be admissible under 49 United States Code section 1154(b) is available here.
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