Bell 206 accident near Rolling Fork, Mississippi, November 7, 2017
On November 7, 2017 at about 3:30 pm local time, a 1972 Bell 206 (helicopter), registered N93PH, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Rolling Fork, Mississippi. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An uncommanded yaw and subsequent loss of main rotor rpm for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 7, 2017 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Rolling Fork, Mississippi · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206 B, built 1972 · all 206s on the register
- Registration
- N93PH · registry record · serial 0788
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was conducting an aerial application flight. He reported that he was almost finished spraying a river when he suddenly felt the helicopter yaw right then left. Subsequently, he raised the helicopter’s nose up and right to clear a line of trees that ran parallel to the river. When the helicopter reached the height of the treetops, the pilot realized that the airspeed was slow, so he held the collective down to start an autorotation. He then pulled full collective just as the skid impacted the ground hard. The helicopter then came to rest on its right side. Examination of the helicopter revealed that flight control continuity was established. The tailboom was found fracture separated, consistent with main rotor blade contact. Both main rotor blades exhibited impact damage and warping due to slight spanwise deflection opposite direction of rotation but with low inertia. The 1st-stage compressor inlet and blades exhibited damage consistent with foreign object ingestion. Foreign object damage was also noted in the compressor, and the case was pierced in several areas. Black, sludge-like material that contained aluminum debris was found throughout the gas path from the compressor to the combustor and turbine inlet, and it was mostly along the inner surface of the outer combustion case, consistent with splatter during N1 rotation. The ingestion of material throughout the engine and foreign object damage to the compressor is consistent with engine operation during the impact sequence. The reason for the uncommanded yaw could not be determined based on the available information because postaccident examination of the airframe, engine and fuel system revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Loss of lift during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Autorotation Hard landing
- Inflight upset during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (turbine/turboprop) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 26,479 hours in all; 366 in this make and model; 26,479 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: unk
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 22,623.6 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 13, 2017; 161 hours since
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C20 SERIE (turboshaft); 18,287 hours total
- Operator: Provine Helicopter Service Inc
The flight
- Departed from: Rolling Fork MS at 9:00 pm
- Destination: Rolling Fork MS
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 400 ft; clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from GLH, 34 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on April 1, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector Regarding Postaccident Examination | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Fuel Control Unit Examination | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Power Turbine Governor Examination | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Record of Memorandum - Rolls Royce Materials Examination Summary | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.