# NTSB ATL86FA264: Bell 222UT, N251CC, Galax, VA, September 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1986, 12:42 local (16:42 UTC)
- Place: Galax, VA
- Coordinates: 36.65937, -80.9094 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6594&lon=-80.9094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6967
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA264
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6967/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA264

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pressure induced by others, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS DISPATCHED ON AN EMERG MED SVC (EMS/MED-EVAC) FLT TO TRANSPORT A PATIENT WITH SUBCRANIAL BLEEDING BACK TO A HOSPITAL IN WINSTON-SALEM. BFR TAKEOFF, THE PLT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING. AT THAT TIME, WIDESPREAD IMC PREVAILEDTHRU-OUT THE AREA & VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT CLIMBED TO 4500' MSL. IN THE LAST TRANSMISSION FROM THE ACFT (TO HOSPITAL DISPATCH), THE HELICOPTER WAS RPRTD TO BE APRX 12 MI FROM GALAX (THE DESTN). A WITNESS IN THAT AREA HEARD THE SOUND OF A HELICOPTER WHICH CEASED WITH A 'THUD' WHEN IT CRASHED. HE LOOKED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE NOISE, BUT HE COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING DUE TO FOG. THE WRECKAGE WAS FND APRX 10 MI SE OF GALAX. THE HELICOPTER HAD CRASHED JUST BELOW THE TOP OF A MTN RIDGE AT AN ELEV OF ABOUT 3500'. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE HELICOPTER WAS IN ABOUT A 20 DEG RGT BANK WHEN IT CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N251CC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N251CC-1988-11-15), registration cancelled 1988-11-15, S/N 47517 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 222UT
- Registry model: [Bell 222UT](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-222ut) (registry code 1182148) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 47517
- Airframe hours: 445
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101 735 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Rocky Mountain Helicopters, doing business as Air Care [Ems]
- Registered owner: North Carolina Baptist Hosp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 18, 1986, 8 hours before
- Departed: INT, WINSTON-SALEM, NC
- Destination: GALAX, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,085 total, 566 in this make and model, 7,535 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- 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 19860923046119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860923046119A), Sep 23, 1986: Bell 222U, Galax, VA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. The helicopter struck a cliff. Suspect terrain obscured by fog. Pilot not qualified for 135 instrument flight.

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.