# NTSB ATL84FA158: Bell 206B, N99LC, Trammel, VA, May 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1984, 14:31 local (18:31 UTC)
- Place: Trammel, VA
- Location: 37.0145° N, 82.2938° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Trammel, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0145&lon=-82.2938&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6274
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6274/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA158

## 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)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH STATIC WIRES ATTACHED TO AN ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINE WHILE CRUISING AT LOW ALT, CRASHED AND BURNED NEAR HWY 63. THE PLT WAS THROWN FROM THE ACFT BEFORE IT BURNED. THE PLT SAID HE NEVER SAW THE WIRE HE HIT. HE HAD BEEN EMPLOYED AS A PLT BY THE COMPANY FOR ONLY ABOUT 10 DAYS AS A TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT FOR THE REGULAR PLT WHO WAS ON VACATION. COMPANY PERSONNEL SAID THAT THEY HAD WARNED THE PLT ABOUT THE WIRES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N99LC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2060
- Airframe hours: 3312
- Engines: ALLISON 250C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lambert Coal Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 1984, 12 hours before
- Destination: NORA, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,160 total, 58 in this make and model, 1,980 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRI, 33 nm away

## 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 19840503073709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840503073709A), May 3, 1984: Bell 206B, Trammel, VA, Destroyed. Low flying helicopter struck powerlines and crashed. Pilot had been told of unmarked lines.

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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