# NTSB ATL87DEI02: Bell B-206-1, N79RR, Youngstown, OH, April 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1987, 14:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Youngstown, OH
- Coordinates: 41.260066, -80.570625 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2601&lon=-80.5706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7224
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87DEI02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7224/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87DEI02

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, hover
  - object - utility pole
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE HOVERING FROM THE WASH RACK, THE HELICOPTER BACKED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM SEPARATED FROM THE AIRFRAME FOLLOWING THE COLLISION. THERE WERE NO POSTIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS/FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N79RR (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL B-206-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45371
- Airframe hours: 1637
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C-28 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gold Eagle Helicopter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 1987, 41 hours before
- Departed: GOLD, YOUNGSTOWN, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,423 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 3,300 as pilot in command, 99 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: YNG, 3 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 19870422010819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870422010819A), Apr 22, 1987: Bell 206L1, Youngstown, OH, Substantial damage. The helicopter rotors struck a pole while the aircraft was backing in a hover. No ground marshallers used.

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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