# NTSB FTW81FA023: Bell 206B, N10785, Norman, OK, January 9, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: January 9, 1981
- Place: Norman, OK · NORMAN, OK
- Location: 35.2226° N, 97.4395° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Norman, OK, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2226&lon=-97.4395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126541
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81FA023
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA023

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0989   81/1/9    NORMAN,OK           BELL 206B           CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1330                    N10785              PX-  4  0  0  CORP/EXEC                 AGE 31, 1919 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            140 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          NORMAN,OK                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DISREGARD OF GOOD OPERATING PRACTICE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10785](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10785-2010-12-16), registration cancelled 2010-12-16, S/N 2926, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19810109000999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810109000999A), Jan 9, 1981: Bell 206B, Norman, OK, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Helicopter crashed after takeoff in right climbing turn and subsequent descending turn into ground.

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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