# NTSB ATL86MA114: Bell 206L-3, N302MC, Holliston, MA, April 14, 1986 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report - Date: April 14, 1986, 11:32 local (16:32 UTC) - Place: Holliston, MA - Location: 42.2001° N, 71.4245° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Holliston, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2001&lon=-71.4245&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 4 fatal, 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 7216 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86MA114 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7216/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86MA114 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, cruise - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - vfr procedures - not followed, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, cruise - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - Midair collision, cruise - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - vfr procedures - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE CESSNA 172 AND A BELL 206L COLLIDED AT 2,000 FEET OVER HOLLISTON, MA. BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE OPERATING UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES WITH NO FLIGHT PLAN OR COMMUNICATIONS ESTABLISHED WITH AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE BELL WAS TRAVELING IN A NORTH-NORTHEASTERLY DIRECTION AND THE CESSNA WAS ON A NORTEASTERLY HEADING. THE CESSNA PILOT STATED HE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF INITIATING A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED AND THAT HE NEVER SAW THE HELICOPTER NOT ANY OTHER TRAFFIC PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE CESSNA HAD DEPARTED HOPEDALE AIRPORT APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. INSPECTION REVEALED ROTOR BLADE SLASH MARKS IN THE CESSNA'S LOWER LEFT ENGINE COWLING. THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED TO TERRAIN IMPACT AFTER THE COLLISION AND THE CESSNA WAS FORCE LANDED IN A FIELD. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) THE BELL 206L AND A CESSNA 172 COLLIDED AT 2,000 FEET OVER HOLLISTON, MA. BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE OPERATING UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULE WITH NO FLIGHT PLAN FILED OR COMMUNICATIONS ESTABLISHED WITH AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE BELL WAS TRAVELING IN A NORTH-NORTHEASTERLY DIRECTION AND THE CESSNA WAS ON A NORTHEASTERLY HEADING. THE CESSNA PILOT STATED HE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF INITIATING A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED AND THAT HE NEVER SAW THE HELICOPTER NOR ANY OTHER TRAFFIC PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE CESSNA HAD DEPARTED HOPEDALE AIRPORT APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. INSPECTION REVEALED ROTOR BLADE SLASH MARKS IN THE CESSNA'S LOWER LEFT ENGINE COWLING. THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED TO TERRAIN IMPACT AFTER THE COLLISION AND THE CESSNA WAS FORCE LANDED IN A FIELD. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: N302MC (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: BELL 206L-3 - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 51119 - Airframe hours: 788 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91 - Operator: Millipore Corpopation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 27, 1986, 88 hours before - Departed: MILLFORD, MA - Destination: BEDFORD, MA ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N52118](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52118-2014-10-27), registration cancelled 2014-10-27, S/N 17274417, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17274417 - Airframe hours: 2327 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Charles A. Mitchell - Registered owner: D & G Flyging Academy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 10, 1986, 35 hours before - Departed: HOPEDALE, MS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N302MC; age 49; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 12,500 total, 730 in this make and model - Pilot, aircraft N52118; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 72 total, 8 in this make and model, 21 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19860414014352A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860414014352A), Apr 14, 1986: Bell 206L3, Holliston, MA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. The helicopter was struck by a Cessna 172, N52118. The rotor separated. The pilot failed to see the Cessna. - [Accident 19860414014351A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860414014351A), Apr 14, 1986: Cessna 172P, Holliston, MA, Substantial damage. The aircraft turned into and hit N302MC. This aircraft landed in a swamp. Pilot failed to avoid the helicopter. 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.