# NTSB FTW84LA150: Bell UH-1B, N31213, Amarillo, TX, February 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 26, 1984, 07:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Amarillo, TX
- Coordinates: 35.690029, -101.820587 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6900&lon=-101.8206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21272
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21272/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA150

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - induction air control/system - ice
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts

## Analysis

PLT WAS ADVISED BY FSS THAT AMARILLO HAD SNOW FLURRIES, VISIBILITY 4 MILES AND WIND FROM 350 DEGS AT 28 KTS GUSTING TO 34 KTS, TUCUMCARI, NM WAS REPORTING 2 MILES VISIBILITY WITH LIGHT SNOW AND AREAS FURTHER WEST WERE CLEARING. THE PLT DEPARTED AMARILLO UNDER A SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE AND STATED THE WX WAS ALRIGHT UNTIL WEST OF AMARILLO WHERE VISIBILITY DETERIORATED TO 1/2 MILE WITH BLOWING SNOW. BECAUSE OF THE DECREASING VISIBILITY AND INCREASING WINDS THE PLT DECIDED TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD. PLT STATED THE ENGINE INTAKE SCREENS ICED UP AND A LOSS OF RPM WAS EXPERIENCED WHILE MANEUVERING THE HELICOPTER INTO THE WIND FOR LANDING. THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE GROUND AND ROLLED OVER TO THE RIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N31213 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL UH-1B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 62-1915
- Airframe hours: 8556
- Engines: LYCOMING T-53-L-11D 1100 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Helicopter International Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 22, 1984, 20 hours before
- Departed: AMA, AMARILLO, TX
- Destination: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,818 total, 550 in this make and model, 1,716 as pilot in command, 153 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 28 knots, gusting 38
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Observed at: AMA, 5 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 19840226004579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840226004579A), Feb 26, 1984: Bell UH1B, Amarillo, TX, Substantial damage. Encountered heavy snow low ceiling and severe wind. Elected to land but engine flamed out. Struck ground sideways.

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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