Accidents
Van Horn Helo Testing Full Gross Autos before Crash
Witness says helicopter and "other objects" fell to ground in fatal accident

The experimental-certified 1981 Bell 206B that crashed April 16 in Arizona was performing autorotations at maximum gross weight while fitted with developmental Van Horn Aviation main rotor blades, according to the preliminary NTSB report issued late last week. That accident killed the helicopter’s two occupants—contract test pilot Rucie Moore and Van Horn engineering manager Stephen Estes.