# NTSB FTW83LA078: Bell 206L-1, N2070Z, Albuquerque, NM, November 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 27, 1983, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Location: 35.0845° N, 106.6511° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Albuquerque, NM, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0845&lon=-106.6511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20785
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20785/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA078

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER TRANSPORTING A PATIENT & 2 CREWMEMBERS, THE PLT TOOK OFF FROM A MEDICAL CENTER HELIPAD TO OBTAIN FUEL AT A NEARBY ARPT. SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING, A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER WAS ENCOUNTERED. THE PLT STARTED TO LAND ON A ROAD, BUT SAW A CAR & TURNED TO AVOID IT. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES HIT A METAL STREET LAMP POLE. THE PLT THEN MANEUVERD BELOW WIRES THAT WERE AHEAD. HE CONTINUED THE EMERGENCY LANDING & STOPPED AFTER SKIDDING ABOUT 30 TO 40 FT ON THE ROAD. AN EXAM OF THE ENG WAS MADE, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE PARTIAL POWER LOSS WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2070Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45730
- Airframe hours: 598
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28 turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Emergency Medical Supplies, doing business as [Ems]
- Registered owner: Edward M. Zimmer Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,699 total, 1,633 in this make and model, 3,577 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F

## 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 19831127059029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831127059029A), Nov 27, 1983: Bell 206L1, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Helicopter experienced partial power failure after liftoff. Crash occurred when craft hit lamppost during landing.

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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