# NTSB FTW82DA076: Bell 12, N1080S, Mustang Blk A11, March 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1982, 09:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Mustang Blk A11
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 5 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71807
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71807/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA076

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - idling rotors
  - judgment - poor, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS AT FLIGHT IDLE WAITING FOR THE NEXT LOAD OF PASSENGERS TO BOARD, A PASSENGER, WHO HAD BEEN TRAINED IN HELICOPTER SAFETY, WALKED INTO THE ROTOR BLADES. THE PASSENGER WAS ATTEMPTING TO PASS BEHIND THE TAIL ROTOR WHEN HE WAS STRUCK IN THE HEAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1080S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1080S-1991-11-04), registration cancelled 1991-11-04, S/N 32121 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 12
- Registry model: [Bell 212](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-212) (registry code 1181420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 32121
- Airframe hours: 2657
- Engines: P&W PT6T-3 500 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Petroleum Helicopter'S Inc
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopter'S Inc
- Departed: MUSTANG BLK A11, GM
- Destination: INGLESIDE TX
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,864 total, 184 in this make and model, 3,637 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 144 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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).

- [Incident 19820302001479I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820302001479I), Mar 2, 1982: Bell 212, Corpus Christi, TX. Passenger left baggage area to take a picture of idling helicopter. Backed into tail rotor. .

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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