# NTSB ANC93LA015: Bell 206B III, N21424, Elf Point Camp, AK, November 10, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1992, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Elf Point Camp, AK
- Coordinates: 55.680419, -132.190322 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.6804&lon=-132.1903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5851
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5851/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA015

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED CLEARANCE AND DRAGGED AN EXTERNAL LOAD LONGLINE CABLE WHILE LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - external load sling/harness - entangled (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WHICH WAS DRAGGING A LONGLINE CABLE, SNAGGED A STUMP WITH THE CABLE DURING AN APPROACH TO A LANDING SITE. THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH GROUND DAMAGING LANDING SKID MOUNTING STRUCTURE AND STRIKING THE TAIL ROTOR. THE COMPANY DID NOT NOTIFY THE FAA OR NTSB BEFORE TRANSPORTING THE HELICOPTER BY VESSEL FOR REPAIR. THE COMPANY MGMT TOLD NTSB THAT 'THEY DETERMINED IT WAS NOT REPORTABLE BECAUSE OF LIMITED DAMAGE.' MANUACTURER'S REPS AND FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS CONFIRMED SUBSANTIAL DAMAGE. COMPANY MGMT TOLD NTSB THAT IT WAS SIMPLY A CASE OF DRAGGING A LONGLINE WHILE LANDING, (SOMETHING THAT) OCCURS IN THE LOGGING BUSINESS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21424](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21424-1995-02-27), registration cancelled 1995-02-27, S/N 3466 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B III
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3466
- Airframe hours: 9673
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Rmh Aerologging, Inc, doing business as Rmh, Inc
- Registered owner: Rmh Aerologging, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 31, 1992, 23 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,600 total, 215 in this make and model, 2,900 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 20 knots, gusting 35
- Temperature: 32 °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 19921110051049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921110051049A), Nov 10, 1992: Bell 206B3, Elf Point Camp, AK, Substantial damage. Long line caught on a stump during landing approach. Pilot had neglected to ascertain line was attached.

## Other investigations on N21424 (1)

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.

- [NTSB ANC93LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA095), Jun 18, 1993: Bell B-3 (N21424), Annette Bay, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT COUPLING AND THE INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM BY COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL AFTER THE FIRST TAIL ROTOR STRIKE.

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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