# Accident 20050315006479A: Bell 206B, Elim, AK, March 15, 2005

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 15, 2005, 19:30 local time
- Place: Elim, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Aerial Taxi, Other Helicopter
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 58.1596° N, 135.7406° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.1596&lon=-135.7406&mi=10
- Aircraft: N422R, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N422R-2012-09-21) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 206B (registry code 1181511, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C20 series (registry code 03020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Reported engine: ALLSN 250C20
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 8,000 total, 900 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC05CA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA049) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050315006479A

## Narrative

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

(-23) DURING AN AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY FLIGHT FROM KOYUK, AK TO ELIM, AK THE WEATHER HAD DETERIORATED. THE PILOT MADE A DECISION TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER (1 1/2 VISIBILITY AND SNOW WITH FLAT LIGHT CONDITIONS). HE SET THE AIRCRAFT DOWN ON AN IRREGULAR SURFACE BUT DECIDED TO REPOSITION THE AIRCRAFT TO A MORE LEVEL AREA. DURING THE REPOSITIONING HOVER TAXI THE ROTORBLADES STRUCK A SNOW DRIFT WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS MOVING FORWARD. THE ROTORBLADES DISINTEGRATED AND DETACHED. THE AIRCRAFT PITCHED FORWARD AND AFT, AND RIGHT AND LEFT AND SETTLED TO THE GROUND IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. DURING THIS PROCESS THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVESHAFT WAS SEVERED. ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED

## 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 ANC05CA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA049), Mar 15, 2005: Bell 206B (N422R), Elim, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain adequate clearance while maneuvering, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors…

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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