# NTSB CHI90MA244: Bell 206B, N16933, Elkhorn, WI, August 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1990, 01:00 local (06:00 UTC)
- Place: Elkhorn, WI
- Coordinates: 42.670883, -88.539619 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6709&lon=-88.5396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14789
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90MA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14789/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90MA244

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE BEFORE FLYING OVER RISING TERRAIN AT NIGHT.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  DARKNESS, FOG, HAZE, RISING TERRAIN, AND THE LACK OF VISUAL CUES THAT WERE AVAILABLE TO THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

FOUR HELICOPTERS WERE BEING USED AT NIGHT TO TRANSPORT A CONCERT GROUP FROM A GOLF COURSE AREA NEAR ELKHORN, WI, TO CHICAGO, IL.  AS THE THIRD HELICOPTER (N16933) WAS DEPARTING, IT REMAINED AT A LOWER ALTITUDE THAN THE OTHERS, AND THE PILOT TURNED SOUTHEASTERLY TOWARD RISING TERRAIN.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER CRASHED ON HILLY TERRAIN ABOUT 3/5 MI FROM THE TAKEOFF POINT.  ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 100 FT ABOVE THE GOLF COURSE AND 50 FT BELOW THE SUMMIT OF THE HILL.   NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION.   PILOTS OF THE OTHER HELICOPTERS REPORTED VFR FLIGHT CONDITIONS WITH SOME FOG.  A GROUND WITNESS NEAR THE CRASH SITE REPORTED HAZE AND GROUND FOG OF VARYING INTENSITY WITH PATCHES OF LOW CLOUDS, BUT SAID STARS COULD BE SEEN THROUGH THE FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16933](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16933-1991-10-25), registration cancelled 1991-10-25, S/N 2338 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B-III](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b-iii) (registry code 1181506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2338
- Airframe hours: 7018
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Omniflight Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 8, 1990, 36 hours before
- Destination: MDW, CHICAGO, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,043 total, 1,540 in this make and model, 4,609 as pilot in command, 264 in the last 90 days, 73 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Observed at: MKE, 23 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 19900827036549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900827036549A), Aug 27, 1990: Bell 206B, Elkhorn, WI, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Indicates pilot flew into area of fog shortly after lift off. Lost control. Impacted hillside. VFR equipped only.

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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