Probable cause
Undetermined.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot he heard and felt a prolonged "thud" during cruise flight at 1,000 feet above ground level and 110 knots. The airframe "wallowed" laterally and he felt resistance in the cyclic flight control followed by a return of normal aircraft control. He made a precautionary landing. An examination of the airframe revealed that the left side vertical winglet of the horizontal stabilizer was missing, and the lower vertical fin leading edge was damaged. The vertical stabilizer was not recovered. No evidence was found to determine the initiation of the damage. An examination of the remaining helicopter systems revealed no anomalies.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09IA254 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 8, 2009
- Type
- Incident
- Place
- Vick, Texas
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Bell 206
- N-number
- N295AE
- Category
- Helicopter
- Damage
- Minor
- Operating rule
- Part 135 (charter and commuter)
Other records under this N-number
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.