# NTSB FTW84LA119: Bell 206L-1, N3904N, Cedar Hill, TX, January 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 25, 1984, 03:30 local (09:30 UTC)
- Place: Cedar Hill, TX
- Coordinates: 33.189479, -96.110763 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1895&lon=-96.1108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21249
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21249/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA119

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - passenger briefing - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO CHECK FOR OIL LEAKS AFTER MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT AN ALT OF 50 TO 100 FT AGL, THE PLT NOTICED A '2 PER REV VIBRATION' AND DECIDED TO LAND IN A FIELD. WHEN APRX 5 FT AGL THE PLT FELT WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS A CG SHIFT AND THE RIGHT SKID CONTACTED THE GROUND. COLLECTIVE WAS THEN LOWERED, HOWEVER, CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER WAS LOST AND A POLL OVER RESULTED. THE PLT STATED THE VIBRATION WAS NOT SEVERE ENOUGH TO HAVE RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT BESIDE THE 2 FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS A 226 LB PASSENGER WAS IN THE RIGHT CENTER (REAR FACING) SEAT. THE PASSENGER STATED HE COULD NOT SEE MUCH FROM THE CENTER SEAT AND JUST PRIOR TO THE SKID CONTACT, HE MOVED TO THE RIGHT REAR (FORWARD FACING) SEAT. THIS WOULD ACCOUNT FOR THE REARWARD CG SHIFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3904N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3904N-2013-09-13), registration cancelled 2013-09-13, S/N 45605 (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)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45605
- Airframe hours: 379
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Clarence J Lott, doing business as Executive Air Lift
- Registered owner: Quality Aircraft Sales
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 25, 1984, 0 hours before
- Departed: CEDAR HILL, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,668 total, 3,975 in this make and model, 5,410 as pilot in command, 124 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 0° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F
- Observed at: DAL

## 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 19840125001359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840125001359A), Jan 25, 1984: Bell 206L1, Cedar Hill, TX, Destroyed. Vibration on test flight. Passenger changed seats during landing flare. One skid touched causing dynamic rollover.

## Other investigations on N3904N (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 CHI81FEV09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FEV09), Mar 2, 1981: Bell 206 (N3904N), Duquoin, IL, destroyed

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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