# NTSB FTW74AF084: Bell 206B, N58153, Utopia, TX, May 14, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: May 14, 1974
- Place: Utopia, TX · UTOPIA, TX
- Location: 29.6241° N, 99.5127° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Utopia, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6241&lon=-99.5127&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 2, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 170190
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW74AF084
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74AF084

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1174  74/5/14    UTOPIA,TEX          BELL 206B           CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0230                    N58153              PX-  0  0  3  AIR TAXI-PASSG            AGE 55, 12075 TOTAL
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            HOURS, 200 IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          UTOPIA,TEX                  BANDERA,TEX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: DESCENDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- LOW LVL NIGHT FLT,FOLLOWING ROAD.LOST SIGHT OF ROAD,DESCENDING,SAW TREES TOO LATE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N58153 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19740514012249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740514012249A), May 14, 1974: Bell 206B, Utopia, TX, Substantial damage. Low lvl night flt,following road. Lost sight of road,descending,saw trees too late.

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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