# NTSB ATL82FA144: Bell 206B, N9986K, Oakwood, VA, May 27, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1982, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Oakwood, VA
- Coordinates: 37.210712, -81.980155 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2107&lon=-81.9802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72069
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72069/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA144

## 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,static (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS FLYING RAILROAD OFFICIALS TO INSPECT RAIL LINES THAT HAD BEEN COVERED BY MUD SLIDES CAUSED BY RECENT HEAVY RAINS. A WITNESS HEARD THE HELICOPTER COMING UP THE VALLEY & THEN HEARD TWO POPPING SOUNDS. HE SAW THE HELICOPTER FALLING TO THE GROUND NEAR SOME POWER LINES STRUNG ACROSS THE VALLEY OVER THE RAILROAD TRACKS. THE POWER LINE ASSEMBLY CONSISTED OF TWO STATIC LINES AT THE TOP & THREE POWER LINES AT THE BOTTOM. THE UPPERMOST STATIC LINE WAS SEPARATED & LYING ON THE LOWER STATIC LINE. THE LINES ARE APPROXIMATELY 300 FT AGL & WERE UNMARKED. THE PLT WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE OPERATING AREA & PURPORTEDLY AWARE OF THE LOCATION OF THE POWER LINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9986K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2012
- Airframe hours: 1300
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Robert A. Wood
- Registered owner: H.C. Van Meter
- Departed: VANSANT, VA
- Destination: VANSANT, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,701 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 153 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLF, 40 nm away

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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