So much for a release to service.
In a recent post in the pictures thread, a comment was made on the advisability/requirement of an inspection following a landing in a field where the tail rotor was in the crops. For some reason it was deleted - the warning was well founded and should have remained.
Mars
NTSB Identification: ANC11TA110
Nonscheduled 14 CFR Public Use
Accident occurred Friday, September 23, 2011 in Seward, AK
Aircraft: BELL 206 B3, registration: N204PA
Injuries: 3 Uninjured.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
On September 23, 2011, about 1116 Alaska daylight time, a Bell 206 B3 helicopter, N204PA, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude, and encountered flat light conditions on the Harding Ice field, about 10 miles west of Seward, Alaska. The helicopter was being operated by Pathfinder Aviation, Homer, Alaska, as a visual flight rules (VFR) public use passenger flight, in conjunction with the National Park Service (NPS), under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135, when the accident occurred. The commercial pilot and the two passengers were not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The purpose of the flight was for NPS employees to sample and monitor the glacier's snow and ice field.
In a written statement provided to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) dated September 24, a passenger in the helicopter at the time of the accident, reported that while traveling from one landing site on the Harding Ice field to another, visibility deteriorated rapidly, making it difficult to see the ground surface. The helicopter unexpectedly touched the surface of the ice field, and came to rest with the tail rotor in the snow. The helicopter was shut down, and another helicopter came to the site to remove the passengers.
According to a representative of the operator, an aviation mechanic came to the site, and examined the helicopter. Finding no damage, the helicopter was started, and brought to a hover. During the hover, a tail rotor driveshaft coupling separated, and the helicopter was set down on the ice field without further damage. Due to approaching weather, the helicopter was picked up by a larger helicopter, and returned to Homer.