# NTSB ANC87FA051: Bell 206B-3, N9AR, Valdez, AK, March 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1987, 08:36 local (12:36 UTC)
- Place: Valdez, AK
- Coordinates: 61.1501, -146.809936 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1501&lon=-146.8099&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 March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4772
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87FA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4772/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87FA051

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - object - wire,transmission(marked) (cause)
  - visual lookout - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TRANSMISSION LINES WHILE ON PIPELINE PATROL, FATALLY INJURING THE PILOT AND SERIOUSLY INJURING THE OBSERVER. THE OBSERVER STATED THAT HE AND THE PILOT HAD BEEN FLYING TOWARDS A BURNING OBJECT ON THE SNOW NEAR TWO SNOW MACHINES WHEN THEY STRUCK THE WIRE. THE BURNING OBJECT WAS LATER DISCOVERED TO BE A HAZARD WARNING BALL WHICH HAD APPARENTLY IGNITED ON THE TRANSMISSION LINE AND FALLEN TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9AR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9AR-1988-08-16), registration cancelled 1988-08-16, S/N 3853 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B-3
- Registry model: [Bell 206B-III](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b-iii) (registry code 1181506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3853
- Airframe hours: 4458
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20J 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Alyeska Pipeline
- Registered owner: Heli-Lift Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, March 11, 1987, 42 hours before
- Departed: VALDEZ, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 11,000 total, 25,000 in this make and model, 10,300 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 200 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 10 °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 19870317006259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870317006259A), Mar 17, 1987: Bell 206B, Valdez, AK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Checking fire near pipeline on pipeline patrol,flew into wires and crashed. Pilots attention diverted. Lines marked

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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