2 fatal · Bell 206L-3 · 2003-07-26 · Whiteriver, AZ, USA
Event
NTSB number
LAX03GA244
Event ID
20030807X01277
Type
Accident
Date
2003-07-26
Location
Whiteriver, AZ, USA
Coordinates
33.885833, -109.675277
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
2
Serious
2
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
4
Aircraft
Make
Bell
Model
206L-3
Registration
N6184D
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain a minimum translational lift airspeed while maneuvering in high density altitude conditions at near maximum required torque and above the in ground effect hover altitude, that resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and a loss of control. The pilot's inadequate in flight planning in his failure to note and account for the power requirements necessary to conduct takeoffs and the slow maneuvering flight at the accident site were also causal.