# NTSB ATL84LA025: Bell 206B, N2183P, Nr. Mcadams, MS, October 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1983, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Nr. Mcadams, MS
- Coordinates: 33.050128, -89.579864 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0501&lon=-89.5799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6374
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6374/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA025

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - rotor rpm - not maintained

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED ON AN AERIAL RIGHT-OF-WAY-BURNING FLT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DUE TO THE TERRAIN & OBSTACLES, HIS ATTENTION WAS TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE HELICOPTER DURING THE BURNING OPERATION. AFTER COMPLETING THE BURNING OPERATION FOR THAT FLT, HE CHECKED THE ACFT FUEL QUANTITY & NOTED AN INDICATION OF 2 TO 3 GAL REMAINING. THE PLT IMMEDIATELY HEADED TOWARD THE LANDING AREA. APRX 1/4 MI FROM THE LANDING SITE, THE FUEL PUMP, ENG OUT & LOW RPM CAUTION LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE ENG FLAMED OUT. SINCE THE HELICOPTER WAS STILL OVER TREES, COLLECTIVE PITCH WAS HELD UNTIL THEY WERE CLEARED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT RPM TO CUSHION THE LANDING & A HARD LANDING OCCURRED. THE FUEL STRAINER WAS CHECKED AFTER THE ACCIDENT & WAS FOUND TO BE EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2183P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3470
- Airframe hours: 1247
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: International Paper Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 6, 1983, 23 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 5,254 total, 234 in this make and model, 5,035 as pilot in command, 176 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19831020055009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831020055009A), Oct 20, 1983: Bell 206B3, Mcadams, MS, Substantial damage. Helicopter crashed during autorotation after engine quit from fuel exhaustion.

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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