# NTSB FTW84LA081: Bell 206L-1, N2005A, Ardmore, OK, December 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1983, 23:20 local (Dec 2, 1983, 05:20 UTC)
- Place: Ardmore, OK
- Coordinates: 34.190338, -97.10997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1903&lon=-97.1100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21222
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21222/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA081

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT BEFORE HE TOOK OFF FROM OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, HE CALLED THE OKLAHOMA CITY FSS & OBTAINED A WX BRIEFING. THE BRIEFING CALLED FOR LIGHT RAIN SHOWERS, MINIMUM CEILING OF 1800 FT, VISIBILITY OF 3 TO 5 MILES & NO CHANCE OF FOG, EXCEPT IN LOW LYING AREAS. HE AND ANOTHER PLT TOOK OFF IN A FLT OF 2 HELICOPTERS TO TRANSPORT A PATIENT FROM ARDMORE, OK TO OKLAHOMA CITY. AFTER ARRIVING AT ARDMORE, THE MISSION WAS CANCELLED WHEN THE PATIENT DIED. ABOUT 1 HR & 20 MIN AFTER ARRIVING AT ARDMORE, THEY DEPARTED FOR THE RETURN FLT AFTER RECEIVING ARDMORE ATIS. THE OTHER HELICOPTER WAS EQUIPPED WITH A RADAR ALTIMETER & LED THE WAY OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE PLT OF N2005A WAS FOLLOWING ABOUT 3/4 MI BEHIND WHEN THE CEILING & VISIBILITY DETERIORATED TO ABOUT 500 FT & 1 MI. THE PLT SAID THAT HE HAD CLOSED ON THE LEAD HELICOPTER & WAS DESCENDNG & DECELERATING WHEN HIS ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. IMPACT OCCURRED ON BANKED TERRAIN BESIDE A HIGHWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2005A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2005A-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N 45673, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (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: 45673
- Airframe hours: 1402
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cimarron Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Destination: OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,411 total, 260 in this make and model, 3,328 as pilot in command, 71 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OKC, 20 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 19831202059479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831202059479A), Dec 2, 1983: Bell 206L1, Ardmore, OK, Substantial damage. Weather deteriorated en route. Struck unlighted ground trying to stay under ceiling. Weather worse than forecast

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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