# NTSB FTW82FRG27: Bell 206, N5739Y, Austin, TX, March 26, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1982, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Austin, TX
- Coordinates: 30.300756, -97.809509 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3008&lon=-97.8095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 26, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69852
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FRG27
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69852/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FRG27

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOW PASS OVER LAKE AUSTIN THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH POWER CABLES ABOUT 300 FEET ABOVE THE LAKE. WITNESSES REPORTED TWO LOUD CRACKING SOUNDS AND THAT THE HELICOPTER PITCHED UP AND GYRATED WILDLY THEN CONTINUED IN THE ORIGINAL DIRECTION OF FLIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE LAKE AT ABOUT A 30 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ANGLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5739Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3413
- Airframe hours: 31
- Engines: ALLISON C-28B3 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles Kallestad
- Registered owner: Charles Kallestad
- Departed: AUSTIN, TX
- Destination: AUSTIN, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,600 total, 2,200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 250 ft overcast
- Temperature: 131 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUS

## 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 19820326006279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820326006279A), Mar 26, 1982: Bell 206B, Austin, TX, Destroyed. Helicopter collided with power cables during low pass over lake.

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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