# NTSB FTW83FA097: Bell 206L-3, N3899U, Goliad, TX, January 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1983, 04:11 local (10:11 UTC)
- Place: Goliad, TX
- Coordinates: 28.660802, -97.38945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6608&lon=-97.3894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20697
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20697/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA097

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - tie down - not attained, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE GROUND IN AN ATTEMPT TO REVERSE DIRECTIONS AT LOW ALT & AT NIGHT AFTER ENCOUNTERING WEATHER. THE PLT HAD RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING AND KNEW THE WEATHER WAS BAD WITH LOW CEILINGS AND FOG. HERADIOED HE COULD MAKE IT BY FOLLOWING THE HIGHWAY AT LOW ALT. THE FLT PURPOSE WAS TO TRANSPORT AN 890 LB VALVE. THE PLT WAS IN CONTACT WITH ELLINGTON TOWER AND A POLICE HELICOPTER DURING THE INITIAL PART OF THE FLT, DISCUSSING THE WEATHER AND HIS INTENTIONS. THERE WAS NO RADIO CONTACT AFTER THE HELICOPTER LEFT THE HOUSTON AREA. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ABOUT 135 MILES FROM HOUSTON ORIENTED ALONG A HEADING OF ABOUT 075 DEGREES FOR A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 500 FT FROM THEINITIAL POINT OF CONTACT WITH ABOUT A 75 FT HIGH TREE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FLT CONTROL OR ENGINE MALFUNCTION PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE CARGO VALVE WAS FOUND 30 FT FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. CABIN STRUCTURE SHOWED EVIDENCE THE VALVE WAS PROPELLED THROUGH THE RIGHT SIDE OF CABIN/DOOR/CUSHION AFTER IMPACT. NO TIE DOWN CARGO STRAPS WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3899U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3899U-1984-06-08), registration cancelled 1984-06-08, S/N 51016 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-3
- Registry model: [Bell 206L-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l-3) (registry code 1182108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 51016
- Airframe hours: 200
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C30 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ragland Helicopter Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 19, 1983, 8 hours before
- Departed: 7XS6, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: ALI, N ALICE, TX

## 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.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,166 total, 135 in this make and model, 134 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NIR, 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 19830121001519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830121001519A), Jan 21, 1983: Bell 206L3, Goliad, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck trees and the ground at dark night with low clouds,fog and rain in area. 900 lb cargo not tied down.

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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