# NTSB BFO89FA079: Bell 206B-III, N3195B, White Plains, MD, September 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1989, 22:18 local (Sep 10, 1989, 02:18 UTC)
- Place: White Plains, MD
- Coordinates: 38.59019, -76.96997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5902&lon=-76.9700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor, 2 uninjured; on the ground: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11473
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89FA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11473/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89FA079

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES IN THAT HE DELAYED HIS CLIMB DURING A NIGHT TAKEOFF FROM A CONFINED AREA. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE DARK NIGHT AND SURROUNDING OBSTRUCTIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT APPROACH TO A FIELD ESTABLISHED BY THE LOCAL FIRE DEP'T FOR A MED-EVAC, THE PILOT WAS TOLD OF WIRES ON THE WEST SIDE & THAT ONE OF THE POLICE CARS WAS PARKED BENEATH THEM. HE CIRCLED THE AREA 3-4 TIMES FOR HAZARDS USING THE SEARCHLIGHT WHILE COMMUNICATING WITH GROUND UNITS. AFTER LOADING THE PATIENT THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED TO THE WEST ACROSS THE APRX 500-FT FIELD. WITNESSES STATED THE HELICOPTER NEVER GOT HIGHER THAN THE WIRES UNTIL IT WAS ABOUT 20 FT FROM THEM, THEN NOSE UP TO ABOUT A 45-DEG ANGLE, CLIMB OVER THE WIRES, AND DESCEND INTO THE GROUND. THE ACTING COMMANDER OF THE STATE POLICE AVIATION DIVISION STATED THAT THE USE OF MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE TAKEOFFS IS CONSIDERED MANDATORY WHEN DEPARTING LANDING SITES AT NIGHT WHERE OBSTACLES SUCH AS WIRES ARE IN THE AREA AND THE CREW HAS NEVER LANDED THERE BEFORE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3195B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3195B-1990-11-16), registration cancelled 1990-11-16, S/N 3858 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B-III
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3858
- Airframe hours: 3853
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Public use
- Operator: Maryland State Police
- Registered owner: Maryland State Police
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 7, 1989, 90 hours before
- Departed: CHEVERLY, MD
- Destination: CENTERVILLE, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,432 total, 1,030 in this make and model, 1,341 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ADW, 14 nm away

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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