Probable cause
A passenger’s unsecured object departed the cabin resulted in a collision with the tail rotor drive shaft.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the helicopter reported that, he was conducting a local area photography/video flight with passengers. Before departure he had removed the doors and provided a preflight safety briefing, which included briefing his passengers on securing their belongings. While in cruise flight, a passenger’s jacked departed the helicopter and became lodged on the synchronized elevator. The pilot simultaneously felt an impact and noted resistance against the cyclic control. A precautionary landing was made without further incident. The tail rotor drive shaft was substantially damaged.
The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR22LA031 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 28, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Covelo, California
- Nearest airport
- Ukiah Muni (UKI)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bell 206L-3
- N-number
- N27TK
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1985
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial observation
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.