# Accident 20000921015159A: Bell 206L4, Atlanta, ID, September 21, 2000

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 21, 2000, 10:45 local time
- Place: Atlanta, ID
- Airport: Graham Usfs Airport
- Damage: No damage
- Location: 43.7990° N, 115.1496° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7990&lon=-115.1496&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3310, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3310-2010-03-04) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 206-L4 (registry code 1182110, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206-l4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C30 series (registry code 03015, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c30-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L4
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA00TA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00TA182) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000921015159A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) HELICOPTER WAS OPERATING UNDER A FOREST SERVICE CONTRACT PERFORMING EXTERNAL LOAD WORK USING A BELLY HOOK INSTEAD OF A LONG LINE. THE HELICOPTER WAS OPERATING OUT OF A CARGO LOADING AREA ON THE USFS GRAHAM AIRSTRIP. AFTER DROPPING THE SECOND LOAD AND DEPARTING BACK TO THE LOADING AREA, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE PILOT COULD NOT FIND A SUITABLE LANDING SPOT BETWEEN THE DROP AREA AND THE LANDING SITE, SO HE FLEW THE HELICOPTER BACK TO THE CARGO LOADING AREA (ABOUT 3.5 MILES) AND LANDED AT THE GRAHAM STRIP. POST FLIGHT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE ROTORBLADES HAD STRUCK SOME OBJECT. IN CHECKING WITH GROUND PERSONNEL AT THE DROP SITE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BLADES HAD STRUCK A LODGEPOLE PINE OF APPROXIMATELY ONE TO TWO INCHES IN DIAMETER. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE MAY NOT HAVE SEEN THE TREE BECAUSE IT BLENDED IN WITH THE HAZY CONDITIONS OF THE DAY.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA00TA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00TA182), Sep 21, 2000: Bell 206-L4 (N3310), Atlanta, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an object. Trees and inadequate ground communications were a factor.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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