# NTSB ANC84FA008: Bell B-206B, N215AL, Paxson, AK, October 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1983, 17:45 local (Oct 17, 1983, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Paxson, AK
- Coordinates: 63.699073, -144.890686 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6991&lon=-144.8907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4184
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84FA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4184/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84FA008

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Roll over, landing
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE TOOK OFF UPSLOPE INTO THE WIND IN AN EASTERLY DIRECTION. IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKING OFF, HE MADE A RIGHT TURN TO A X-WIND, & SECONDS LATER, HE MADE A FURTHER TURN THE RIGHT (DOWNWIND). VISIBILITY TOWARD THE EAST WAS ABOUT 1/4 MI, BUT TO THE WEST, THE VISIBILITY WAS GOOD. THERE WAS ONLY 1 VISUAL POINT ON THE HORIZON. THE PLT STATED HE BEGAN A CLIMB FOR VISUAL REFERENCE ON THE HORIZON, THEN NOTICED THE HELICOPTER WAS SETTLING. THE ENG OUT/LOW RPM AUDIO WARNING & LIGHT ACTIVATED JUST BEFORE THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED SNOW COVERED TERRAIN IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE WHILE MOVING FORWARD. A SKID DUG IN & THE HELICOPTER WENT OVER ON ITS TOP. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER WAS COVERED WITH SNOW & WAS NOT RECOVERED; THEREFORE, THE CAUSE OF THE APPARENT POWER LOSS WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 6800 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N215AL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N215AL-1988-10-06), registration cancelled 1988-10-06, S/N 1041 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL B-206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 001041
- Airframe hours: 10181
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Air Logistics Of Ak Inc
- Registered owner: Air Logistics Of Alaska
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, July 27, 1983
- Destination: FAIRBANK, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,505 total, 697 in this make and model, 3,249 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Temperature: 19 °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 19831016056899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831016056899A), Oct 16, 1983: Bell 206B, Paxson, AK, Substantial damage. Helicopter settled on downwind turn after liftoff. Skids caught in snow. Nosed over. Possible RPM decay a factor.

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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