Bell 206 N352CT accident near Todd Mission, Texas

Probable cause

The passenger’s inadvertent interference with the tail rotor pedals, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control during takeoff and the subsequent impact with terrain.

NTSB analysis

The pilot landed the helicopter on a grass field so that the three passengers could switch seat positions during the local personal flight. As the helicopter took off from the field, it began to rotate to the right. Once airborne, the helicopter spun several revolutions to the right. The pilot reported that she applied full left pedal with no response from the helicopter. The left skid impacted the ground, and the helicopter rolled to the left and came to rest on the left side of the fuselage. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, the fuselage, the tailboom, and the tail rotor system. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

The cyclic, collective, and the two tail rotor pedals were installed on the left side of the helicopter. The passenger in the front left seat was asked if he had his feet on top of the tail rotor pedals; he reported "that or on the floor" and then stated that he was not sure.

Postaccident passenger interference testing in a flight training device revealed performance similar to the helicopter's accident sequence.

Although the pilot had briefed the passengers about not touching any of the flight controls, it is likely that, during the takeoff, the passenger had his feet either on or up against the tail rotor pedals, which resulted in the helicopter's rotation to the right and the subsequent loss of control.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN18LA290 for the full record.