# NTSB ANC88LA148: Bell 212, N397EH, Deadhorse, AK, September 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1988, 09:25 local (17:25 UTC)
- Place: Deadhorse, AK
- Coordinates: 70.429405, -149.290786 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=70.4294&lon=-149.2908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5089
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5089/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA148

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,frozen (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - weak ice (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A WHITEOUT CONDITION AND ELECTED TO LAND ON A FROZEN LAKE APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT. AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON THE ICE, THE HELICOPTER BROKE THE ICE AND ROLLED OVER ON ITS BACK. THE HELICOPTER WAS DESTROYED BY GROUND FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N397EH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N397EH-1991-03-28), registration cancelled 1991-03-28, S/N 30764 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 212
- Registry model: [Bell 212](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-212) (registry code 1181420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 30764
- Airframe hours: 7238
- Engines: P&W PT6-3 900 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Era Helicopter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 7, 1988, 59 hours before
- Departed: SCC, DEADHORSE, AK
- Destination: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 11,340 total, 1,191 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 222 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 45 °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 19880929044769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880929044769A), Sep 29, 1988: Bell 212, Deadhorse, AK, Destroyed. Took off in snow showers, encountered whiteout conmditions. Landed on frozen lake. Skin broke through. Rolled over

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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