NTSB Recommends Inspection of Bell 407 Helicopters

by | Dec 5, 2022 | Aviation Accident

The National Transportation Safety Board has recommended the immediate inspection of all Bell 407 Helicopters.  The recommendation was issued as a result of the NTSB’s investigation into the June 8, 2022 helicopter crash in Hawaii.  The tour flight was operated by Paradise Helicopters.

The NTSB’s report documents what happened leading up to the crash:

According to the pilot, about 30 minutes into the flight, the helicopter began an uncontrolled spin to the right. A passenger reported that, as the helicopter continued to spin, she observed something fall off the helicopter; however, she was not able to identify a specific part. The helicopter continued to spin uncontrollably while it descended and impacted an area of rough, uneven, lava-covered terrain.

The examination of the accident site revealed the tail boom came to rest about 762 ft northeast from the main wreckage, consistent with an inflight separation. Examination of the tail boom revealed it separated from the fuselage at the tail boom attach point.

Based on the ongoing investigation, the NTSB became concerned about the same failure potentially occurring on other Bell 407 Helicopters:

Our investigation into this accident is ongoing. However, given the findings thus far during the investigation, we are concerned that there may be additional Bell 407 helicopters with missing or fractured tail boom attachment hardware, and the potential for catastrophic failure warrants immediate and mandatory action. The NTSB concludes that any tail boom attachment hardware or fittings that is not installed properly or is fractured is a safety hazard because it can result in an inflight separation of the tail boom, which is catastrophic. Therefore, the NTSB recommends that the FAA and Transport Canada require operators of Bell 407 helicopters to conduct an immediate torque check of the tail boom attachment hardware, as well as a visual inspection of the tail boom attachment fittings for evidence of cracks and fractures, and report findings to their respective regulatory authority.

The following recommendations were issued to the FAA:

Require operators of Bell 407 helicopters to conduct an immediate torque check of the tail boom attachment hardware, as well as a visual inspection of the tail boom attachment fittings for evidence of cracks and fractures, and report findings to the FAA. (A-22-28) (Urgent)

Require operators of Bell 407 helicopters to conduct subsequent torque checks of the tail boom attachment hardware and visual inspection of the tail boom attachment fittings as referenced in Safety Recommendation A-22-28 at an interval significantly less than the currently required interval to provide multiple opportunities for detecting any improperly installed or fractured attachment hardware or fittings. Require operators to report findings to the FAA. (A-22-29) (Urgent)

Spagnoletti Law Firm has attorneys licensed in Texas, Florida, and New York.  We have handled numerous cases involving the failure of necessary equipment on a plane or helicopter in both federal and state court across the country.  When it comes to aviation, safety must come first.  Our attorneys have extensive experience in plane and helicopter crash litigation and the skills needed to aggressively represent the families of loved ones who have lost their lives or those who have been seriously injured in a plane or helicopter crash.  The experienced aviation attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was a victim of a crash. Please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 or 877-678-5864 to learn more about your legal rights.