# NTSB CHI84FA348: Bell 206L-1, N2109C, Medford, MN, August 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1984, 19:37 local (Aug 17, 1984, 00:37 UTC)
- Place: Medford, MN
- Location: 44.1685° N, 93.2473° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Medford, MN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1685&lon=-93.2473&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12421
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FA348
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12421/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA348

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - engine assembly - undetermined
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training(emergency procedure(s)), pilot in command (cause)
  - collective - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - autorotation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - roll

## Analysis

PLT STATED ENGINE FAILED DURING CRUISE AT AN ALT OF 500 TO 700 FT AGL. AUTOROTATION WAS ATTEMPTED. WITH COLLECTIVE FULL DOWN ROTOR RPM CONTINUED TO DECREASE WHILE THE PLT MAINTAINED 60 TO 70 KTS IN A DESCENT. ACFT TOUCHED DOWN WITH 40 TO 50 KTS FORWARD SPEED. ACFT SLID APRX 100 FT AND ROLLED OVER TO THE LEFT. THE ENGINE WAS INSPECTED AND NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. PLT RECEIVED TRANSITION TRAINING FOR THIS ACFT IN OCTOBER 1982. AT THAT TIME IT WAS RECOMMENDED THE PLT RETURN FOR PROFICIENCY TRAINING IN 6 MONTHS. NO RECORD OF HAVING OBTAINED THIS TRAINING WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2109C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Bell 206L-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Laughlin Recreational Enterpr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 29, 1984, 22 hours before
- Departed: MEDFORD, MN
- Destination: OWA, OWANTONNA, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4,012 total, 205 in this make and model, 3,704 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RST, 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 19840816043859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840816043859A), Aug 16, 1984: Bell 206L1, Medford, MN, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Reported power loss. Failed maintenance rotor RPM in autorotation and flare. Rolled on impact. Clutch splines failed

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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