# NTSB CHI85LA303: Bell 206BII, N49737, Farmington, MN, July 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1985, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Farmington, MN
- Coordinates: 44.649574, -93.169898 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6496&lon=-93.1699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13153
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA303
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13153/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA303

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - separation (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING MANEUVERING TO LD IN AN UNCULTIVATED FLD THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK A FENCE POST,FROM A DISMANTLED FENCE,THAT WAS CONCEALED BY HIGH WEEDS. ONE TAIL ROTOR BLADE WAS SEPARATED,THE PILOT LOST CONTROL,AND ON TOUCHDOWN THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49737](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49737-2013-07-19), registration cancelled 2013-07-19, S/N 2024, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206BII
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2024
- Airframe hours: 6500
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Hubbard Broadcasting Co.
- Registered owner: Omni Flight Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: STP, ST.PAUL, MN
- Destination: STP, ST.PAUL, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,466 total, 920 in this make and model, 2,750 as pilot in command, 153 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP, 25 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 19850720032849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850720032849A), Jul 20, 1985: Bell 206B1, Farmington, MN, Substantial damage. Tail rotor blade struck a fence post hidden by tall weeds as pilot attempted landing. Helicopter rolled onto side.

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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