Bell 206L-3 accident near White Plains, New York, August 26, 2009
On August 26, 2009 at about 4:00 pm local time, a Bell 206L-3 (helicopter), registered N22ZA, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near White Plains, New York (Westchester County Airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to disconnect the ground power unit prior to takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 26, 2009 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- White Plains, New York · Westchester County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L-3 · all 206L-3s on the register
- Registration
- N22ZA · registry record · serial 51207
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that during takeoff from a dolly, the helicopter nosed down, contacted the ground, and collapsed the landing skids. Post-accident inspection revealed that the helicopter had not been disconnected from the ground power unit (GPU) prior to take off. The company did not have any written procedures regarding the placement or operation of the GPU. On this flight, the GPU had been placed behind the helicopter due to its "proximity to the taxiway." The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the helicopter.
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
What happened, in order
- Preflight or dispatch event during takeoff
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Electrical power system › External power system › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
- Organizational issues › Management › Policy/procedure › Availability of policy/proc › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,250 hours in all; 3,000 in this make and model; 3,200 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 22, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,206 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 16, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 4,150 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250 C30P (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HPN White Plains NY at 4:00 pm
- Destination: 6N5 34 St. Heliport NY
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,200 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 3:56 pm from HPN
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.