# NTSB CHI88DCA01: Bell 206B, N13Q, Cahokia, IL, March 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1988, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Cahokia, IL
- Coordinates: 38.540599, -89.849967 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5406&lon=-89.8500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13843
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DCA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13843/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DCA01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - flight controls - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - lift-off - inadvertent
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR WAS GIVING A PILOT AN EMPLOYMENT EVALUATION IN THE HELICOPTER WHEN DURING THE STARTUP THE PILOT PREMATURELY ADDED FULL POWER CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO ROTATE RAPIDLY TO THE RIGHT. THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN POSITIONED ON A TRAILER. DURING THE UNCONTROLLED ROTATION IT STRUCK A TRACTOR, ATTACHED TO THE TRAILER, WITH THE TAIL ROTOR. THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST A FEW FEET FROM THE TRAILER AFTER THE MAIN ROTOR ASSEMBLY BROKE AWAY FROM THE HELICOPTER. THE TORQUE GAUGE IN THE HELICOPTER INDICATED IN EXCESS OF 100%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N13Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: N13Q
- Airframe hours: 3811
- Engines: ALLISON C250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Helicopters, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 31, 1987, 66 hours before
- Airport: CPS, St. Louis Downtown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 21,500 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 21,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 9° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CPS, 4 nm away

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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