# NTSB ANC83LA091: Bell 205A-1, N17AL, Deadhorse, AK, June 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1983, 19:18 local (Jun 7, 1983, 03:18 UTC)
- Place: Deadhorse, AK
- Coordinates: 64.810241, -147.720657 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8102&lon=-147.7207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4126
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4126/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA091

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, taxi
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, taxi
- Main gear collapsed, taxi

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A POLE AND LANDED HARD DURING AIR TAXI TO POSITION THE ACFT. THE PILOT HAD JUST OFF LOADED PASSENGERS AND WAS ALONE IN THE HELICOPTER. A WITNESS SAID THE PILOT HOVERED TOO CLOSE TO THE POLE AND BOTH ROTOR BLADESMADE CONTACT. THE POLE THAT WAS STRUCK WAS SEVERED ABOUT 12 FT AGL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N17AL (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 205A-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 30165
- Airframe hours: 8282
- Engines: LYCOMING T53-L-13 1400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Logistics Of Alaska, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 6, 1982, 8,197 hours before
- Departed: LNI, BARROW, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: SCC, Deadhorse

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 9,000 total, 550 in this make and model, 7,500 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 23 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830606025359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830606025359A), Jun 6, 1983: Bell 205A1, Deadhorse, AK, Substantial damage. Struck a utility pole while hovering to land.

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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