# NTSB ANC83FA032: Bell 206B, N74PR, Cordova, AK, January 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1983, 14:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place: Cordova, AK
- Coordinates: 60.789356, -145.609832 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7894&lon=-145.6098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4014
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83FA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4014/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FA032

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS ON A RESCUE/RECOVERY FLT FOR THE ALASKA STATE TROOPERS WITH THE PLT & A STATE TROOPER ON BOARD. THEY DEPARTED IN VARIABLE WX CONDITIONS TO RESCUE THE PLT OF ANOTHER ACFT. REPORTEDLY, SNOW WAS FALLING IN THE SEARCH AREA & THE WINDS WERE GUSTING BETWEEN 70 & 90 MPH. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE ENG FLAMED OUT DURING A TURN AT APRX 1000 FT AGL. HE BEGAN AN AUTOROTATION & TRANSMITTED A DISTRESS CALL. DURING AN APCH TO A FROZEN RIVER, HE ENCOUNTERED A TOTAL WHITEOUT CONDITION IN FOG & BLOWING SNOW AT APRX 75 TO 100 FT AGL. HE GUESSED AT THE ALT TO APPLY COLLECTIVE PITCH TO STOP THE DESCENT & SAID THAT HE EXPERIENCED VERTIGO DURING THE LAST PART OF THE DESCENT. THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A LEFT, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE & ROLLED OVER. THE OCCUPANTS WERE UNABLE TO REACH THEIR SURVIVAL GEAR IN THE WRECKAGE. WX DELAY THEIR RESCUE & THE PASSENGER DIED FROM HYPOTHERMIA. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH PARTICLE SEPARATORS, BUT NO SNOW DEFLECTORS WERE INSTALLED. NO MECHANICAL ENG FAILURE WAS FOUND, BUT A COATING OF ICE WAS FOUND IN THE ENG INLET.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - miscellaneous equipment - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,ram air/induction air - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74PR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74PR-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 204, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206a) (registry code 1181508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 204
- Airframe hours: 4711
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Operator: Petie Cook Chisum, doing business as Chisum Flying Service
- Registered owner: Joseph W. Green
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 24, 1983, 38 hours before
- Departed: CORDOVA, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 7,500 total, 3,200 in this make and model, 6,850 as pilot in command, 152 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 50 knots, gusting 70
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## Other investigations on N74PR (1)

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

- [NTSB LAX80FUJ65](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FUJ65), May 4, 1980: Bell 206B (N74PR), Supai, AZ, substantial damage

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

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