# NTSB ATL91LA102: Bell UH-1B, N9650N, Lake Seminole, GA, May 29, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1991, 06:40 local (10:40 UTC)
- Place: Lake Seminole, GA
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8412
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8412/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA102

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE SURFACE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - water
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED FOR AERIAL OBSERVATION OF PREVIOUSLY SPRAYED AQUATIC PLANTS. A DAWN TAKE OFF WAS MADE AND THE FLIGHT PROCEEDED AT LOW LEVEL ALONG THE RIVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE LOOKED AT THE OBSERVER THEN LOOKED FORWARD AGAIN. NO OBSTRUCTION WAS SEEN, HOWEVER, A BUMP WAS FELT AND THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE RIVER SURFACE. THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER EXITED THE HELICOPTER UNDERWATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9650N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9650N-1993-05-11), registration cancelled 1993-05-11, S/N 638674 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL UH-1B
- Registry model: [Bell UH-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-uh-1b) (registry code 1181410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 638674
- Airframe hours: 4951
- Engines: LYCOMING T53-L11D 1100 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Colony Services, Inc., doing business as Colony Helicopters
- Registered owner: Colony Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 1, 1991, 53 hours before
- Departed: NONE, CHATTAHOOCHEE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,911 total, 162 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TLH, 30 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 19910529017889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910529017889A), May 29, 1991: Bell UH1B, Lake Seminole, GA, Destroyed. Struck a piling in water of lake flying just off surface. Low ceiling fog and glassy water. Flipped inverted. Sank.

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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