Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Cedartown, Georgia 30125
Tuesady, June 5, 2007 14:44 EDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The pilot reported that while flying low over trees in a left turn, a strong gust of wind was encountered causing the helicopter to yaw to the right. The pilot reduced the collective in an attempt to fly out of the situation; however, he was unsuccessful in stopping the yaw and struck trees, and subsequently the ground. Winds were reported at the time of the accident at 250 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 16 knots. Examination of the helicopter revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction, and none were reported by the pilot.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident were strong gusty winds.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 6/5/2007
Event Day of the Week Tuesday
Time of Event 1444
Event Time Zone Eastern Daylight Time
Event City Cedartown
Event State GEORGIA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 30125
Event Date Year 2007
Event Date Month 6
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 335419N
Event Location Longitude 0853300W
Event Location Airport --
Event Location Nearest Airport ID --
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1500 Eastern Daylight Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 300
Weather Observation Facility ID ATL
Elevation of weather observation facility 1026
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 50
Time Zone of the weather observation EDT
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height 15000
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height 4500
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Few
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling Broken
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 28
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 14
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 250
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 10
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) 16
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 29.8
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury Serious
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious 3
Injury Total All 3
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 24073
NTSB Notification Source SROC
NTSB Notification Date Jun 5 2007 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information DMS
Date of most recent change to record Feb 2 2009 3:21PM
User who most recently changed record grol
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office ATL FSDO

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N912SP
NTSB Number ATL07GA087
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Public Use
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? No
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire Ground
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name Bell
Aircraft Model 206B
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 3619
Certified Max Gross Weight 3200
Aircraft Category Helicopter
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 5
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection Apr 1 2007 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 91.6
Airframe Hours 5603
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated No
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name Georgia Department of Public Safety
Aircraft Owner Street Address 1900 Airport Road
Aircraft Owner City Kennesaw
Aircraft Owner State GA
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 30144
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name --
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City --
Operator State --
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code --
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) --
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code 4A4
Departure City Cedartown
Departure State GA
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1415
Departure Time Zone EDT
Destination Same as Local Flt dest & departure same, accident can occur anywhere
Destination Airport Code --
Destination City --
Destination State --
Destination Country --
Specific Phase of Flight Hover - out of ground effect
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Feb 2 2009 3:21PM
User who most recently changed record grol
Since inspection or accident Time of Accident
Event Location Runway Number and Location N/A
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --