# NTSB ANC83LA029: Bell 212, N2150S, Tigvariak Isl., AK, January 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 6, 1983, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Tigvariak Isl., AK
- Location: 70.2222° N, 147.2186° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tigvariak Island, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=70.2222&lon=-147.2186&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 8 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4093
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4093/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA029

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - proper assistance - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER MADE A HARD LANDING AT NIGHT AT AN UNLIGHTED DRILL RIG SITE. THE PILOT CALLED THE RIG SITE ON THE RADIO TO ASK FOR LIGHTS BUT THEY WERE NOT TURNED ON. THE PILOT TRIED TO LAND WITHOUT THE LIGHTS AND ENCOUNTERED BLOWING SNOW FROM THE ROTOR WASH. THE ALT WAS MISJUDGED AND THE ACFT HIT HARD AND MOVING FASTER THAN EXPECTED. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF HE HAD WAITED FOR THE LIGHTS TO BE TURNED ON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2150S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 212
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 32137
- Airframe hours: 531
- Engines: P&W PT62-3B 1290 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Sea Airmotive Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SCC, DEADHORSE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 1

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11,320 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F

## 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 19830106002239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830106002239A), Jan 6, 1983: Bell 212, Tigvariak, AK, Substantial damage. Flew into ground during a hover approach to an oil rig site. No ground lights and rotor blowing snow.

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.

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