# NTSB ATL84LA226: Bell 204 UH 1B, N91307, Tams, WV, July 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1984, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Tams, WV
- Coordinates: 37.699363, -81.25093 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6994&lon=-81.2509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6498
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6498/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA226

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - exceeded (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - psychological condition, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

AN OVER GROSS TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED FROM A 500 FT LONG ZONE.  TRANSLATIONAL LIFT WAS NOT ACHIEVED AND ROTOR RPM DETERIORATED.  THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TREES, CRASHED & BURNED.  THE PLT STATED THAT THE WIND MAY HAVE SHIFTED DURING HIS TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91307](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91307-1989-12-12), registration cancelled 1989-12-12, S/N 610758 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 204 UH 1B
- Registry model: [Bell UH-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-uh-1b) (registry code 1181410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 61-758
- Airframe hours: 6700
- Engines: LYCOMING T-53-L11D 1100 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 133
- Operator: Ranger Helicopter Service
- Registered owner: Southern Aero Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 6,200 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BKW, 15 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 19840720034109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840720034109A), Jul 20, 1984: Bell UH1B, Tams, WV, Destroyed. Tried to climbout of small clearing with external spray load and over gross. Unable to get transational lift.

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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