# NTSB ATL86FA156: MBB BO-105C, N114BH, Peterson, AL, June 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1986, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Peterson, AL
- Location: 33.2326° N, 87.4236° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Peterson, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2326&lon=-87.4236&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6946
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6946/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA156

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE EMS HELICOPTER WAS HEARD AND OBSERVED AS IT FLEW AT LOW ALTITUDE DOWN THE RIVER. A WITNESS SAW IT DIP DOWN THEN ATTEMPT TO CLIMB JUST PRIOR TO THE COLLISION WITH POWER LINES ACROSS THE RIVER. THE HELICOPTER BROKE THE WIRES BUT WAS STOPPED AND CAME APART AS IT FELL INTO THE RIVER. THE SUN WAS LOW ON THE HORIZON AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING GENERALLY SOUTHWEST. THE COLLISION OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 2500 FEET BELOW THE MAXIMUM ELEVATION FIGURES FOR TERRAIN AND OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE QUADRANGLE THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING THROUGH. REPORTEDLY LOW LEVEL FLIGHTS HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS AND HAD BEEN DESCRIBED AS FUN BY ONE OF THE PASSENGERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N114BH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N114BH-1989-01-05), registration cancelled 1989-01-05, S/N S114 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MBB BO-105C
- Registry model: [Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm-Gm BO-105C](https://openairdocs.org/model/messerschmitt-boelkow-blohm-gm-bo-105c) (registry code 5626005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: S-114
- Airframe hours: 6420
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Metro Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 25, 1986, 39 hours before
- Departed: BHM, BIRMINGHAM, AL
- Destination: JACKSON, MS
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,519 total, 302 in this make and model, 48 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TCL, 17 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 19860602020649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860602020649A), Jun 2, 1986: Bolkms BO105C, Peterson, AL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. The helicopter struck wires during low level flight along a river. Helicopter came apart as it fell into the river.

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.