# NTSB ATL84LA198: Bell 222, N222LH, Salem, VA, June 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1984, 19:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Salem, VA
- Location: 37.2853° N, 80.0552° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Salem, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2853&lon=-80.0552&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6476
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6476/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA198

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, hover
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, driver of vehicle (cause)
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS FLOWN TO THE SITE OF AN AUTO ACCIDENT TO TRANSPORT AN INJURED PERSON. AFTER LANDING, THE PATIENT WAS LOADED WITHOUT SHUTTING DOWN THE ENG. DUE TO THE POSITION OF POWER LINES, THE AIRCREW HAD TO DEPART IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. WHILE PREPARING TO DEPART, THE PLT BROUGHT THE HELICOPTER TO A HOVER & BEGAN A PEDAL TURN. AS THE ACFT WAS TURNING, AN AMBULANCE DRIVER BEGAN BACKING HIS VEHICLE TOWARD THE HELICOPTER. THE PLT INSTINCTIVELY PULLED AFT ON THE CYCLIC. THIS RESULTED IN THE TAIL ROTOR CONTACTING A LOW ROAD BARRIER POST. THERE WAS A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS, SO THE PLT RETARDED THE THROTTLE TO THE OFF POSITION & MADE A HOVER AUTOROTATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N222LH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 222
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 47060
- Airframe hours: 701
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-10-650C-3 684 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Life Guard Of America,Inc., doing business as [Ems]
- Registered owner: Rmh Air Ltd., Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: ROANOKE, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,792 total, 85 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.