# NTSB ATL85FA170: Bell 206L, N403DC, Duluth, GA, May 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1985, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Duluth, GA
- Location: 34.0014° N, 84.1504° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Duluth, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0014&lon=-84.1504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6614
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6614/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA170

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER LOADING A SERIOUSLY BURNED PATIENT IN THE HELICOPTER, THE PLT STARTED THE ENG & LIFTED OFF FROM THE HOSPITAL PARKING LOT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT-OFF, HE STARTED FORWARD TRANSLATIONAL FLT. ABOUT 65 FT FROM THE LIFT-OFF POINT, AN ADVANCING MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRUCK AN UNMARKED LAMP POST. THE HELICOPTER THEN CRASHED IN THE PARKING LOT, JUST BEYOND THE LAMP POST. THE PLT & ONE MEDICAL ATTENDANT WERE FATALLY INJURED, THE OTHER MEDICAL ATTENDANT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. REPORTEDLY, THE PATIENT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY ADDITIONAL DISCERNIBLE INJURY FROM THE CRASH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N403DC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N403DC-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 45032, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L
- Registry model: [Bell 206L](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l) (registry code 1181522) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45032
- Airframe hours: 4121
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Metro Ambulance Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 16, 1985, 38 hours before
- Destination: PDK, CHAMBLEE, GA
- Airport: 17A

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 11 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDK, 11 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 19850520018519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850520018519A), May 20, 1985: Bell 206L, Duluth, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lifted off to 20 feet, started forward flight and main rotor hit lamp post. Impacted ground in small parking lot.

## Other investigations on N403DC (1)

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.

- [NTSB ATL82DA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA257), Aug 30, 1982: Bell 206L (N403DC), Greenville, SC, substantial damage

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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