# NTSB FTW84LA090: Bell 222U, N3177G, Albuquerque, NM, December 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 10, 1983, 08:12 local (15:12 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Location: 35.0389° N, 106.6083° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ALBUQUERQUE INTL SUNPORT (ABQ), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0389&lon=-106.6083&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21228
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21228/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA090

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, taxi - aerial
  - traffic advisory - issued, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, taxi - aerial
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor gearbox(90 deg) - separation
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS PARKED ON THE RAMP, FACING EAST. WHEN THE PLT CALLED THE TOWER FOR CLEARANCE, HE REQUESTED A WEST DEPARTURE. THE PLT RECEIVED A CLEARANCE & WAS ADVISED OF TRAFFIC ON THE WEST RAMP (BEHIND THE HELICOPTER) & WAS INSTRUCTED NOT TO OVERFLY THE TRAFFIC. THE PLT LIFTED OFF TO A HOVER & MADE A 90 DEG TURN TO SEE THE REFERENCED TRAFFIC. DURING THE TURN, HIS TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE RIGHT WING OF A CESSNA R182, N122MW. AFTER THE STRIKE, THE TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX SEPARATED & THE ACFT SPUN ABOUT 720 DEG BEFORE THE PLT CUT THE THROTTLES & EXECUTED A HOVERING AUTOROTATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3177G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3177G-2012-09-11), registration cancelled 2012-09-11, S/N 47502, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 222U
- Registry model: [Bell 222U](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-222u) (registry code 1182140) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming LTS-101 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-lts-101-series) (registry code 41560, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 47502
- Airframe hours: 86
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101-750 1368 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Bell Helicopter Textron
- Registered owner: Textron Financial Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 1983, 86 hours before
- Destination: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Airport: ABQ, Albuquerque

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 7,000 total, 1,285 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ

## 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 19831210060429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831210060429A), Dec 10, 1983: Bell 222U, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Helicopter tail rotor struck aircraft as helicopter made 90 degree hovering turn.

## Other investigations on N3177G (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX86LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA098), Jan 26, 1986: Bell 222UT (N3177G), La Habra, CA, substantial damage

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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