# NTSB ANC81FA063: Bell 204-B, N288PH, Ketchikan, AK, June 14, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: June 14, 1981
- Place: Ketchikan, AK · KETCHIKAN, AK
- Location: 55.3571° N, 131.6746° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ketchikan, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.3571&lon=-131.6746&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1982
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 125360
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC81FA063
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81FA063

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3508  81/6/14  NR.KETCHIKAN,AK       BELL 204-B          CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 27, 1960
        TIME - 0700                    N288PH              PX-  0  0  0  MAPPING/PHOTO             TOTAL HOURS, 1047 IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          QUARTZ HILL CAMP,AK         RETURN                      KETCHIKAN,AK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                TAKEOFF: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: OTHER
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY LOADED AIRCRAFT-WEIGHT-AND/OR C.G.
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - GROUND RESONANCE
        REMARKS- PLT UNAWARE MECH RMVD BLST,CG BYD AFT LMT.DEPLANED HLDG COLL,VIB AFT PAX OFF.PITCH-UP DRG LIFTOFF.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N288PH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 204-B
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19810614032379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810614032379A), Jun 14, 1981: Bell 204B, Ketchikan, AK, Destroyed. Unknown to pilot, mechanic had misplaced ballast weight. Pilot lost control after passengers debarked. Tried hover.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.