# NTSB FTW83FA066: Bell 206B, N206H, San Antonio, TX, December 23, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 23, 1982, 08:21 local (14:21 UTC)
- Place: San Antonio, TX
- Coordinates: 29.409465, -98.629806 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4095&lon=-98.6298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 23, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72479
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72479/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA066

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED BRACKETTVILLE AT 0715 & AT 0740 CONTACTED UVALDE UNICOM FOR THEIR WX. WHEN INFORMED THAT UVALDE WAS "ZERO-ZERO" THE FLT CONTINUED EAST. THE ACFT WAS LATER OBSERVED & HEARD FLYING ABOVE THE LOW INDEFINITE CEILING SHORTLY BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND IN A TIGHT DESCENDING RIGHT HAND TURN AT HIGH VELOCITY. WITNESSES AT THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED 60-200 FT CEILINGS & VISIBILITY WELL BELOW 1 MI.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N206H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N206H-2013-06-06), registration cancelled 2013-06-06, S/N 263, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206a) (registry code 1181508) (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: 263
- Airframe hours: 5250
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C-20 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Burts, Edwin M.
- Registered owner: Burts, Leonard Et Al
- Departed: C, BRACKETTVILLE, TX
- Destination: C, HOUSTON, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 144 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 18 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 19821223066689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821223066689A), Dec 23, 1982: Bell 206A, San Antonio, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. VFR pilot lost control and crashed in IMC. Fog and low ceiling existed at departure. No weather briefing.

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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