Bell 206-L4 N482TJ accident near Caldwell, Ohio

Probable cause

The helicopter’s uncontrolled vertical descent and impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined.

NTSB analysis

The pilot had successfully completed several external load drop operations on the morning of the accident. Afterward, the pilot returned to the off-airport landing zone where a trailer with a ground crew supporting the mission had been positioned. The helicopter was refueled and the pilot checked fluid levels, with no anomalies noted. The helicopter subsequently departed so that the pilot could conduct additional external drop operations during the afternoon. The first cargo drop of the afternoon was completed successfully. While over the second drop zone, the helicopter descended into and impacted an area of wooded terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the helicopter.

During the morning operations, the pilot had no issues maneuvering the helicopter with a load configuration similar to that of accident flight and completing multiple cargo load drops. The ground crew observed nothing unusual during those flights. The ground crew did not witness the events leading up to the helicopter’s descent into forested terrain, and the pilot could not recall those details.

Postaccident examination of the helicopter found no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, the long line used for the external load operation was found partially wrapped around the main rotor mast and tangled in trees surrounding the wreckage. The cargo and emergency release hooks remained attached to the helicopter and the load, and the load was found near the wreckage. It could not be determined at what point during the accident sequence the long line became wrapped around the main rotor mast. Postaccident performance calculations indicated that the accident helicopter would have had sufficient capability to perform an out-of-ground-effect hover. Thus, the reason for the helicopter’s uncontrolled vertical descent and impact with terrain could not be determined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA23LA309 for the full record.