# NTSB CHI86FA129: Bell 222B, N660DD, Chicago, IL, April 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1986, 09:06 local (15:06 UTC)
- Place: Chicago, IL
- Coordinates: 41.780666, -87.599456 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7807&lon=-87.5995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13255
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13255/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA129

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, hover
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, hover
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT HAD JUST DISCHARGED TWO PASSENGERS ON THE ROOFTOP HELIPAD AND WAS PREPARING FOR DEPARTURE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS PICKED UP TO A HOVER AND THE TAILROTOR STRUCK A HELIPORT SURFACE PERIMETER LIGHT. THE TAILROTOR SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND THE AIRCRAFT ROTATED TO THE RIGHT. THROTTLES WERE REDUCED TO STOP THE ROTATION AND THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED BACK DOWN TO THE HELIPAD. THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED SIDE TO SIDE AND ROLLED OFF THE HELIPAD AND CAME TO REST ON ITS LEFT SIDE. THE PILOT EXITED AND EXTINGUISHED A SMALL FIRE THAT HAD STARTED NEAR THE ENGINE EXHAUST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N660DD (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 222B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 47132
- Airframe hours: 614
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101-750C1 684 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Omniflight, doing business as [Ems]
- Registered owner: Dd66 Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: RLA, SOLON MILLS, IL
- Destination: RLA, CHICAGO, IL
- Airport: RLA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,978 total, 58 in this make and model, 123 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MDW, 2 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 19860425016109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860425016109A), Apr 25, 1986: Bell 222B, Chicago, IL, Substantial damage. The helicopter tail rotor struck a light fixture on the helipad during takeoff. Aircraft rolled over.

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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