# NTSB ATL89FA051: Bell 206B, N3TV, Pinson, AL, December 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 2, 1988, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Pinson, AL
- Coordinates: 33.720943, -86.649612 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7209&lon=-86.6496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7866
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7866/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA051

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - level off - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

TWO FAA INSPECTORS WERE CONDUCTING CURRENCY TRAINING WHEN THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD DURING A PRACTICE POWER RECOVERY AUTOROTATION. THE PILOT HAD DELAYED IN APPLYING POWER AND COLLECTIVE PITCH. UPON CONTACT WITH THE GROUND, ALL ENGINE INSTRUMENTS INDICATED NORMAL OPERATION AND THE ENGINE RPM INDICATED IDLE POWER. THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM. AFTER THE TOUCHDOWN, AN INSPECTION FAILED TO DISCLOSED ANY DAMAGE, BUT WHEN THE FLIGHT RETURNED TO BIRMINGHAM SUBSTANTIAL STRUCTURAL DAMAGE WAS NOTED IN THE RIGHT REAR SKID AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3TV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3TV), registered now, S/N 2678 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 206B
- Airframe hours: 3535
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Rotor Wing Inc.
- Registered owner: Rotor Wing, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 6, 1988, 50 hours before
- Departed: BIRMINGHAM, AL
- Destination: PINSON, AL
- Airport: Gilmer, runway 36, 2,500 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,644 total, 4 in this make and model, 3,127 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHM

## 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 19881202053059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881202053059A), Dec 2, 1988: Bell 206B, Pinson, AL, Substantial damage. Allowed rotor decay on a practice autorotation. Hard landing bent skids and tailboom. Flew back to base damaged.

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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