Bell 206B accident near Cranston, Rhode Island, November 26, 2003
On November 26, 2003 at about 9:00 pm local time, a Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N90013, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cranston, Rhode Island. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadvertent encounter with loss of tail rotor effectiveness. A factor was the wind change.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 26, 2003 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Cranston, Rhode Island · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N90013 · no longer on the register · serial 1464
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was performing a series of passes for a ground camera, at an altitude of about 350 feet AGL, and an indicated airspeed of 20 to 25 knots. Three passes were completed into the wind with no problems. On the fourth pass, the pilot noticed the wind had changed from a headwind to a 90 degree left crosswind of about 10 to 15 knots. At the same time, the nose of the helicopter drifted right and he was unable to regain control prior to ground impact. A check of the FAA Advisory Circular on Unanticipated Right Yaw revealed the wind change placed the helicopter in situation where he was susceptible to loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE).
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: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,411 hours in all; 1,596 in this make and model; 111 in the last 90 days; 62 in the last 30 days; 3,109 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 29, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, November 2, 2003
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250 C20 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVD Providence RI at 8:45 pm
- Destination: PVD
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 210 knots, gusting 7
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 25,000 ft; scat at 15,000 ft
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 8:51 pm from PVD, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.