# NTSB CHI86LA024: Bell 206L, N430MB, Brownstone, MI, November 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1985, 18:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Brownstone, MI
- Coordinates: 42.309825, -83.380828 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3098&lon=-83.3808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13382
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13382/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA024

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, hover
- Roll over, hover

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS DEPARTING THE AIRCRAFT OWNERS BACKYARD AFTER DISCHARCHING TWO PASSENGERS. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING CYCLIC FEEDBACK AS HE ATTEMPTED TO PICK THE AIRCRAFT UP TO A HOVER. THE FEEDBACK BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OVER. THE TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED FROM WET SLOPING TERRAIN ON A DARK NIGHT WITHOUT THE USE OF A LANDING LIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N430MB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45039
- Airframe hours: 2473
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C2OB 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Fritz Enterprises, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 9, 1985, 80 hours before
- Destination: 1D2, PLYMOUTH, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,419 total, 620 in this make and model, 3,069 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft unknown
- Temperature: 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19851106056079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851106056079A), Nov 6, 1985: Bell 206L, Brownstone, MI, Substantial damage. Landed, had cyclic feedback on liftoff. Feedback became uncontrollable. Rolled onto side. No mechanical defects.

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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