Accidents
Low Maneuvering Cause of Fatal 2023 Bell 407 Crash
Steep turn over terrain caused main rotor blade to contact ground
Video still from Bell 407 crash showing steep bank
From NTSB report: “Video frame from on board Go-Pro camera at point of impact, with portions of fragmented main rotor blade seen in upper left of photo.”

A March 2023 helicopter crash resulted from low-altitude maneuvering, according to an NTSB final report issued this week. N14Z, a Bell 407 helicopter, crashed near Nuevo, California, resulting in the deaths of both the pilot and a pilot-rated (fixed-wing only) passenger. The helicopter, which was operating under Part 91 rules, was destroyed after striking terrain near the peak of a rocky hilltop.

The NTSB determined the probable cause to be the pilot’s decision to maneuver at a low altitude in a steep bank, which resulted in the failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. No evidence of mechanical failure contributing to the crash was found during the investigation.

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