# NTSB ATL87MA035: Bell 206L-1, N3898U, Jamestown, TN, December 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: December 3, 1986, 03:52 local (09:52 UTC)
- Place: Jamestown, TN
- Coordinates: 36.43069, -84.929313 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4307&lon=-84.9293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7528
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87MA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7528/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87MA035

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - information insufficient, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - insuff standards/requirements,operation/operator, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED IN AN EMERG MED SVC/MED-EVAC (EMS) OPN. AT 0230, THE PLT OBTAINED A PARTIAL WX BRIEFING. HE WAS ADVISED OF FLT PRCTNS FOR IFR WX THRU-OUT THE AREA WITH LOW CEILINGS, FOG, PRECIP & MTNS OBSCD. THE FLT DEPARTED NASHVILLE AT 0245 & LNDD AT JAMESTOWN AT 0333. ABOUT 17 MIN LATER, IT TOOK OFF ON THE RETURN FLT TO NASHVILLE WITH 2 MEDPSNL & A PATIENT ABOARD. ABOUT 3.2 MI FM THE DEPARTURE POINT, THE ACFT HIT TREES MOMENTS AFTER CROSSING HI TERRAIN ALONGTHE RIM OF A VALLEY. THE IMPACT AREA WAS VOID OF LGTS. A WX STUDY INDCD CLD BASES AT ABOUT 800' AGL, VIS LESS THAN 3 MI IN DRIZZLE & FOG. PSNL IN THE AREA ESTD 200' TO 300' OVERCAST, VIS 1/2 TO 3/4 MI. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FND. THE EMS OPN WAS CERTIFIED UNDER 14 CFR 135 (NO SPECIFIC REG FOR EMS OPNS). THE COMPANY OPNS MANUAL LACKED GUID-ANCE CONCERNING EMS OPNS. THE OPERATOR DID NOT HAVE AN FAA APPROVED TRAINING MANUAL. NO FAA RECORD WAS FND SHOWING A BASE INSPECTION BY EITHER OPNS OR MAINT INSPECTORS BTN 1/11/85 & THE DATE OF THE ACDNT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3898U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3898U-1986-12-03), registration cancelled 1986-12-03, S/N 45575, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45575
- Airframe hours: 1750
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 500 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Customaire, Inc., doing business as Cumberland Leas&Inst Co [Ems]
- Registered owner: James W. Wellham
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 1, 1986, 1 hours before
- Departed: JAMESTOWN, TN
- Destination: NASHVILLE, TN
- Airport: 2A1, Jamestown Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,570 total, 4,192 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °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).

- [Accident 19861203064019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861203064019A), Dec 3, 1986: Bell 206L1, Jamestown, TN, Destroyed, 3 fatal. The helicopter hit trees during a night air ambulance mission. Suspect the pilot attempted VFR flight in IFR area.

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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