BRAINERD HELICOPTER SERVICE INC
Also recorded as: BRAINERD HELICOPTER SERVICE INC, Brainerd Helicopter Service, Inc., Brainerd Helicopter Services Inc.
Accident & enforcement record
Events that happened, regardless of the operator's own reporting. Each links to its public source.
NTSB accidents & incidents
Operated by Brainerd Helicopter Services (per NTSB report)
The pilot’s misdiagnosis of an erroneous engine instrument indication and his subsequent decision to enter an autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing due to degraded visual cues and low ambient light conditions. Contributing to the accident were the erroneous engine indications likely caused by an undetermined electrical supply disruption; time pressure, pilot fatigue, and plan continuation bias as daylight diminished and the crew aimed to complete the flight; and cognitive overload from multiple airframe and engine caution indications.
Operated by Brainerd Helicopter Services Inc. (per NTSB report)
A sudden wind shift which resulted in a rapid descent and subsequent dynamic rollover and collision into water.
Operated by Brainerd Helicopter Service, Inc. (per NTSB report)
The ground crew’s failure to secure the backpack at the landing zone (LZ), that resulted in the tail rotor impacting the backpack during the landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate selection of an area at the LZ, the lack of awareness of the backpack at the LZ, and the absence of communication between the pilot and the ground crew during the landing.
FAA enforcement actions
No FAA enforcement actions linked to this operator.
Maintenance disclosure history
Service Difficulty Reports are self-reported maintenance findings. The NUMBER of reports is not a measure of reliability — diligent operators file more, not fewer. These are shown for transparency, not as a negative signal. To verify a report, search its control number at the FAA SDRS site.
Reports span 1998–1998. Most-reported systems: Engine fuel & control (73) — 1. Most-common natures of condition, as filed: PARTIAL RPM/PWR LOSS — 1.
1 report on file.
Part: GOVERNOR — FAILED (ENGINE)
WHILE PERFORMING FIRE FIGHTING FOR DNR, PILOT FILLED BUCKET AND STARTED CLIMB, ENGINE LOST POWER. PILOT DUMPED WATER WHICH BROUGHT ROTOR POWER-UP. PILOT WAS ABLE TO GET HELICOPTER TO SHORE. HELICOPTER AUTOROTATED AND STRUCK METAL TREE STAKE DAMAGING TAIL ROTOR, DRIVESHAFT, AND TAIL SECTION.
Linked aircraft
| N-number | Make / model | Year | Status | Link basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N144BH | BELL 206B | 1975 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N18BH | BELL 407 | 1997 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N19BH | BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON CANADA 206L-4 | 2008 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designatorOperator named in NTSB report |
| N20BH | BELL 407 | 1998 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designatorOperator named in NTSB report |
| N21BH | BELL 407 | 1998 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designatorOperator named in NTSB report |
| N2756P | BELL 206B | — | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N283BH | BELL 206L-3 | 1991 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N292BH | BELL 206B | 1992 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
Aircraft with earlier records under this certificate
Maintenance and accident records on this page also cover aircraft that are not in this operator's current FAA fleet list. Charter and management fleets change — owners switch management companies, sell, or export aircraft. Where the registry shows what became of a tail, it is noted below.
- N52BH (BELL 206B) — records 1998 · registered to NIPPER TROY R (owner ≠ operator)