# NTSB ATL86LMG07: Bell UH-1B, N158HP, Wrightsville, NC, May 8, 1986

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1986, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Wrightsville, NC
- Coordinates: 34.230537, -77.799133 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2305&lon=-77.7991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7212
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LMG07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7212/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LMG07

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, hover
  - object - utility pole
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS ABOUT TO DESCEND FROM A HIGH HOVER TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD ADJACENT TO A HOTEL PARKING LOT WHEN THE TIPS OF BOTH MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED A LIGHT POLE. THE PLT MANEUVERED AWAY FROM THE POLE AND LANDED IN THE OPEN FIELD. SEVERAL AUTOMOBILES IN THE PARKING LOT SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE FROM FLYING DEBRIS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N158HP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL UH-1B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 401(62-1881)
- Airframe hours: 6340
- Engines: LYCOMING T53-L-11D 1100 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Southern Aero Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 9, 1985, 241 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 7,000 total, 1,359 in this make and model, 6,800 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19860508071839I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860508071839I), May 8, 1986: Bell UH1B, Wrightsville Be, NC, Minor damage. The helicopter rotor struck a lightpole during a landing in a hotel parking lot.

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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