Bell 206B accident near Mesa, Arizona, June 25, 2004
On June 25, 2004 at about 4:10 am local time, a Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N97AZ, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mesa, Arizona (Falcon Field Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's failure to adequately clear the left skid of obstacles resulting in a dynamic rollover of the helicopter and collision with terrain. A factor in the accident was the dark nighttime lighting conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 25, 2004 · about 4:10 am local time
- Place
- Mesa, Arizona · Falcon Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N97AZ · no longer on the register · serial 2693
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter experienced a dynamic rollover and impacted terrain during an attempted takeoff from a parked trailer. A pilot acquaintance of the pilot described the trailer as a modified boat trailer, with an open and trough-shaped platform surrounded by "D" shaped tie down rings, which the acquaintance did not think was suitable for safe takeoff and landing operations. Earlier in the day, the pilot made several unsuccessful attempts to land the helicopter on the recently purchased trailer, and opted to land on the runway surface next to the trailer. After obtaining fuel, the pilot decided to make an additional attempt to land on the trailer in the dark night conditions. Witnesses saw the helicopter land on the trailer. Shortly after touchdown, the pilot attempted to depart the trailer platform and as the helicopter lifted off, the left skid caught on one of the numerous "D" shaped rings affixed to the platform surface of the trailer. The helicopter experienced a dynamic rollover and collided with the ground.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,300 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250 C-20 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: FFZ Mesa AZ at 4:05 am
- Destination: FFZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 050° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observation at 2:52 am from FFZ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.