# NTSB CHI82DA034: Bell 206L-1, N2777B, Indianapolis, IN, February 3, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1982, 03:25 local (08:25 UTC)
- Place: Indianapolis, IN
- Coordinates: 39.729743, -86.290611 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7297&lon=-86.2906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 3, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71147
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71147/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA034

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING A NIGHT FLIGHT WHILE ENROUTE TO OBTAIN FUEL. THE LOW RPM AUDIO AND WARNING LIGHT WERE NOTED WHEN THE LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. THE PILOT ENTERED AN AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT AND TURNED TO LAND ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. AS HE STARTED TO DECELERATE FOR LANDING, POWER LINES BECAME VISIBLE IN HIS FLIGHT PATH. HE DUMPED THE NOSE AND DOVE UNDER THE POWER LINES, THEN FLARED AND TOUCHED DOWN AT ABOUT 25 TO 30 MPH. DURING THE LAST PART OF A GROUND SLIDE, THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK A POLE FOR AN OVERHEAD SIGN AND A SPEED LIMIT SIGN. NO PRE-ACCIDENT ENGINE FAILURES WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2777B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45218
- Airframe hours: 664
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Evergreen Helicopter Inc.
- Registered owner: Evergreen Helicopter Inc.
- Departed: INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Destination: INDIANAPOLIS, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,646 total, 10 in this make and model, 2,395 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 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 19820203004569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820203004569A), Feb 3, 1982: Bell 206L, Indianapolis, IN, Substantial damage. Helicopter lost power and during an emergency landing struck a signpost next to a highway.

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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