Bell 206L-3 accident near Woodbridge, New Jersey, July 6, 1999
On July 6, 1999 at about 8:45 pm local time, a Bell 206L-3 (helicopter), registered N4NJ, was substantially damaged in an accident near Woodbridge, New Jersey. It was a public-use 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 improper takeoff procedure, which resulted in a loss of tailrotor effectiveness.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 6, 1999 · about 8:45 pm local time
- Place
- Woodbridge, New Jersey
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L-3 · all 206L-3s on the register
- Registration
- N4NJ · registry record · serial 51170
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot took off into the wind to conduct a high orbit, and as the pilot 'gently and smoothly' started a right turn, an uncommanded right yaw, along with a 'high engine whine sound,' was experienced. At that time the pilot estimated the wind was at his 10 o'clock position. The pilot immediately applied left pedal to compensate for the right yaw, but it did not arrest the rotation. The collective was then lowered, and in an attempt to fly out of the ensuing condition, the helicopter was turned into the direction of rotation. After the helicopter made three complete 360-degree turns to the right, the PIC closed the throttle to idle, and performed an autorotation to a dry lakebed. FAA Advisory Circular 90-95 stated that 'Any maneuver which requires the pilot to operate in a high-power, low airspeed environment with a left crosswind or tailwind creates an environment where unanticipated right yaw may occur.' The AC also advised of greater susceptibility for LTE in right turns and the phenomena may occur in varying degrees in all single main rotor helicopters at airspeeds less than 30 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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,250 hours in all; 500 in this make and model; 45 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 1,750 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,922 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, May 12, 1999; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,150 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C-30P (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TTN West Trenton NJ at 7:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 15 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 100°F (38°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
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.