# NTSB FTW82FQA15: Bell 206B, N2272D, Watrous, NM, February 24, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1982, 21:35 local (Feb 24, 1982, 04:35 UTC)
- Place: Watrous, NM
- Coordinates: 35.099628, -106.519165 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0996&lon=-106.5192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 23, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69195
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FQA15
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69195/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FQA15

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER STRUCK POWER AND COMMUNICATION LINES AFTER TAKING OFF AT NIGHT. AFTER HITTING THE LINES, IT CRASHED INTO A RAILROAD GRADE AND BRIDGE. THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT ONE MILE FROM THE DEPARTURE POINT. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION. IT WAS NOTED THAT THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS FOR THE FUEL BOOST PUMP AND THE MASTER CAUTION SYSTEMS WERE OPEN. A TOXICOLOGICAL CHECK OF THE PILOT'S BLOOD REVEALED 266 MG PERCENT OF ETHYL ALCOHOL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2272D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2272D-1982-11-22), registration cancelled 1982-11-22, S/N 3551 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3551
- Airframe hours: 164
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Doolittle Enterprises Inc.
- Registered owner: Doolittle Enterprises Inc.
- Departed: DOOLITTLE RANCH, NM
- Destination: ALBUQUERQUE, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,750 total, 95 in this make and model, 95 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 260° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 113 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LVS, 25 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 19820223005119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820223005119A), Feb 23, 1982: Bell 206A, Watrous, NM, Substantial damage. Helicopter crashed into powerlines during darkness. Toxicology report indicated high blood alcohol.

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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