# NTSB FTW82FA204: Bell 206B, N1482W, Fairfield, TX, May 31, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1982, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Fairfield, TX
- Coordinates: 31.709457, -96.160766 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7095&lon=-96.1608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 31, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70657
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70657/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FA204

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER FLYING NORTHBOUND WHILE TRAVELING PARALLEL AND JUST EAST OF A NORTH-SOUTH HIGHWAY. REPORTEDLY, IT ENTER AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING APPROACH, CROSSED OVER THE HIGHWAY AND IMPACTED IN AN OPEN FIELD ON A WESTERLY HEADING AFTER CLEARING POWER LINES, THEN BURNED. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS DESCENDING IN ABOUT A 45 DEG WHEN IT WENT OUT OF SIGHT BEHIND TREES. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT IT IMPACTED IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE WHILE MOVING TO THE LEFT. THE WIND WAS FROM 340 DEG AT 16 KTS. AFTER IMPACT THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO DISINTEGRATE. WRECKAGE WAS FOUND OVER A DISTANCE OF 108 FT. DURING AN ENGINE TEARDOWN, DAMAGE WAS NOTED THAT WAS CONSISTENT WITH A LACK OF POWER AND LOW RPM. NO OTHER EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND DURING THE TEARDOWN. REPORTEDLY, THE PILOT HAD NOTED VIBRATIONS ON THE PREVIOUS FLIGHT DURING LEFT TURNS AND HAD TO "BEEP UP" THE ENGINE AFTER LIFTING OFF TO A HOVER, THEN HAD TO "BEEP DOWN" AFTER LANDING TO KEEP FROM OVERSPEEDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1482W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1482W-2011-03-28), registration cancelled 2011-03-28, S/N 412, built 1969 (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
- Serial number: 412
- Airframe hours: 11992
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Mary Tout
- Registered owner: Mary Tout
- Departed: HUNTSVILLE, TX
- Destination: GAINESVILLE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 169 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAL, 110 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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