NTSB Factual Report

On June 21, 2011, about 0634 mountain standard time (MST), a Bell 212, N49678, experienced a loss of control and subsequent rollover near Falcon Field Airport (FFZ), Mesa, Arizona. The helicopter was operated by The Boeing Company under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a proficiency flight. The company test pilot/certified flight instructor pilot and crew chief/mechanic received serious injuries, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage from the postimpact fire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight that departed Boeing Heliport (AZ81) at 0610.

In the pilot's written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), he stated that he was seated in the right seat, and the mechanic was seated in the left seat. The pilot had successfully completed a practice approach, vertical landing, and takeoff to a low mesa about a mile northeast of Red Mountain. He then proceeded to an area known as "the tires" on the south side of Sawick Mountain. The pilot recalled performing a left 180-degree normal approach, and an uneventful, no-hover vertical landing. As he initiated a lift off and established a stabilized 3-foot hover, the pilot stated that the helicopter rolled rapidly to the right, and he was unable to stop the roll. The helicopter impacted the ground and erupted into flames.

The pilot also reported that he had an airline transport pilot certificate, and also held a flight instructor certificate.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) along with parties to the investigation, The Boeing Company, and Bell Helicopter, responded to the accident site. According to the FAA inspector, the accident site was located on the Salt River Indian Reservation about 10 miles north of FFZ. The helicopter had rolled onto its right side and a post-crash fire consumed the cockpit area.

Investigators further reported several ground scars were near the wreckage. One ground scar was a linear scar about 20-feet behind the main wreckage and identified as the first point of contact. The ground scar was about 3 to 4 feet in length and contained green primer paint chips consistent with the paint on the tail stinger and yellow paint chips, consistent with the paint on the tail rotor blade tip.

A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter.

The Boeing Company's interview with the pilot revealed that pilot was on the controls and the crew chief was following through with him at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while in a low hover.