- Date
- August 4, 1986, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place
- Watson, OK
- Injuries
- 1 serious
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N33WBell 206B
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19860804037289A
- Case key
- 21915
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
Pilot of bell 206B conducting forestry operations experienced problem with fire dispensing apparatus being slung beneath aircraft while returning to helipad for fuel. Pilot landed, released external load, and got out of aircraft to release electrical connection. Upon resuming his flight he was unaware that a cable from the released load was caught across his right skid. The company mechanic who witnessed the accident stated that he attempted to alert the pilot as he took off but was unable to get his attention. The pilot stated that he made a climbing right turn and lost control of the aircraft as the external load was inadvertently lifted and immediately began severe oscillation. The aircraft impacted small trees prior to ground impact. The helicopter sustained substantial damage as a result of the accident. The pilot, who holds an airline transport rating, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N33W
- Reported as
- Bell 206B
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 930
- Airframe hours
- 9,579
- Engine
- Allison 250-C20B, 400 horsepower, turbo shaft
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work use · Part 91
- Operator
- Weyerhaeuser Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · July 12, 1986 · 77 hours before
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 40
- Certificates
- Commercial, Airline transport
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine sea, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 5,116 total · 1,436 as pilot in command · 43 in the last 90 days · 4 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature
- 90 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.