Bell 206L-1 accident near Marks, Mississippi, July 28, 2007
On July 28, 2007 at about 6:57 am local time, a Bell 206L-1 (helicopter), registered N90AE, was destroyed in an accident near Marks, Mississippi (Quitman Hospital Helipad airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of control and hard landing as result of the loss of tail rotor effectiveness. A contributing factor was the prevailing dark night conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 28, 2007 · about 6:57 am local time
- Place
- Marks, Mississippi · Quitman Hospital Helipad · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L-1 · all 206L-1s on the register
- Registration
- N90AE · no longer on the register · serial 45544
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot reported that he noted that the wind sock atop the hospital was limp prior to starting the engine. He added that the helicopter was parked on a westerly heading when the patient was loaded aboard the helicopter. The pilot added that he brought the helicopter to a hover, prior to executing a right hovering turn to the right for his planned departure in a northerly heading. The pilot further stated that he initiated a vertical takeoff on a northerly heading to clear the obstacles. The pilot added that "after reaching an altitude that allowed the rotor system to be slightly above the trees, the aircraft began a slow turn to the right." The pilot countered with left anti-torque pedal and the torque increased to 101 percent and he "backed-out on the amount of left pedal input." The pilot then attempted to "nurse the aircraft" at the 100 percent torque indication to avoid an engine over-torque condition. The pilot then lowered the collective as he attempted to remain over the helipad and land. The pilot added that the rate of turn to the right decreased some, but was not totally arrested. The helicopter landed hard while on a left yaw on a grassy area approximately 20-feet short of the helipad. The landing gear collapsed and the helicopter came to rest on its left side. The investigation revealed that the helicopter was within weight and balance limits at the time of the mishap. The helicopter was recovered to a secured location for further investigation. The 3,884-hour helicopter pilot reported having accumulated 83 hours in the last 90-days and 21.3 hours within the last 30-days. The pilot reported that he was familiar with the mission and had operated from the same heliport on previous occasions. Flight and engine control continuity was established. No mechanical discrepancies were found with the helicopter or the powerplant.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,884 hours in all; 83 in the last 90 days; 21 in the last 30 days; 2,744 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 11,011 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, July 1, 2007; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C30P (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Marks MS
- Destination: Memphis TN
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 190° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 7:00 am from KUTA, 27 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.