# Accident 20030920023469A: Bell 206L1, Shoals, IN, September 20, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 20, 2003, 23:38 local time
- Place: Shoals, IN
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Pwr On Vertical Ldng/Rtrcrft
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: EVCA
- Location: 38.6597° N, 86.7892° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6597&lon=-86.7892&mi=10
- Aircraft: N74AE, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74AE-2018-10-01) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 (registry code 1182107, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C28 series (registry code 03022, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c28-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L1
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 3,080 total, 151 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI03LA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA319) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030920023469A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2003, AT 2338 EST, A BELL HELICOPTER MODEL 206-L1, N74AE, REGISTERED TO AIR EVAC LEASING CORP. MADE A HARD LANDING AT A GYPSUM QUARRY PARKING LOT NEAR SHOALS, INDIANA, WHILE ON AN AIR AMBULANCE FLIGHT CONDUCTED UNDER CFR PART 135. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME. DURING THE LANDING A WHITE OUT CONDITION WAS EXPERIENCED AT APPROXIMATELY FIVE FEET DUE TO GYPSUM DUST. THE COMMERCIAL RATED PILOT, A FLIGHT NURSE AND FLIGHT MEDIC WERE NOT INJURED. A FLIGHT PLAN HAD NOT BEEN FILED.

## 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 CHI03LA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA319), Sep 21, 2003: Bell 206L-1 (N74AE), Shoals, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot not maintaining a proper descent rate during the touchdown once visual reference was reduced by the dust in the rotor downwash. Factors were the dusty gravel landing area and the pilot's…

## Other reports on N74AE (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20120904029009I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120904029009I), Sep 4, 2012: Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 (N74AE), Harrison, AR, Minor damage. On September 4, 2012 the left-hand chin bubble departed the aircraft while in cruise-flight. Subsequent investigation determined that the chin bubble had been…

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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