Bell 206L-1 accident near Edinburg, Texas, October 17, 2002
On October 17, 2002 at about 8:45 pm local time, a Bell 206L-1 (helicopter), registered N303CH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Edinburg, Texas. It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 1 person was seriously injured; 4 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of tailrotor effectiveness due to the right quartering tailwind, which resulted in a hard landing. Factors were the lack of suitable surrounding terrain for landing, which included numerous surrounding obstacles, and the tailwind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 17, 2002 · about 8:45 pm local time
- Place
- Edinburg, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 4 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L-1 · all 206L-1s on the register
- Registration
- N303CH · no longer on the register · serial 45268
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter approached the staging and was on final approach heading south when a loss of tailrotor effectiveness was encountered. According to the pilot, during final approach, approximately 20 feet agl, he "ran out of pedal," and the helicopter started spinning to the right. The pilot stated that full left pedal was applied to stop the turn; however, the rate of turn continued to increase. The pilot attempted to attempted to gain forward airspeed; however, was unable due to surrounding obstacles. Subsequently, the helicopter landed hard and came to rest upright. The pilot stated that there was no mechanical malfunction of the helicopter. The nearest weather observation facility reported the wind from 150 degrees at 13 knots and the pilot reported that the wind was from 120 degrees at 12 knots.
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: 1,439 hours in all; 157 in this make and model; 56 in the last 90 days; 29 in the last 30 days; 963 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 18, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,970.4 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, October 11, 2002; 15.2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,050 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C28B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE S. Padre Island TX
- Destination: NONE Edimburg TX
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft; scat at 3,900 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from MFE, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 3 |
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.