# NTSB FTW85LA241: Bell 206-B, N1072Y, Fort Worth, TX, May 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1985, 16:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Fort Worth, TX
- Coordinates: 32.800407, -97.189987 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8004&lon=-97.1900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21764
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21764/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA241

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
  - wind information - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - roll/run
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Roll over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS TAKING OFF ON A TEST FLT TO DETERMINE THE AFT C.G. LIMITS IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN STC MODIFICATION. AS THE ACFT WAS LIFTED OFF IN A FRONT SKIDS HIGH ATTITUDE, IT ENTERED AN UNCOMMANDED RIGHT ROLL. FULL LEFT CYCLIC WOULD NOT STOP THE ROLL AND THE ACFT ROLLED OVER. GUSTY WINDS AND MECHANICAL TURBULENCE FROM NEARBY BLDG'S CONTRIBUTED TO THE DYNAMIC ROLLOVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1072Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206-B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2873
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Heli-Dyne Systems, Inc.
- Registered owner: Bell Helicopter Textron
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: 17TA
- Airport: 17TA, Helidyne

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 8,500 total, 231 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW, 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 19850531021789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850531021789A), May 31, 1985: Bell 206B, Ft Worth, TX, Substantial damage. During test flight lifted front of skids off ground. Gusty wind shift occurred and aircraft rolled over.

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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