# NTSB FTW86FA142: Bell 206B, N33W, Watson, OK, August 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1986, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Watson, OK
- Coordinates: 34.4291, -94.550308 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4291&lon=-94.5503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21915
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21915/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FA142

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, takeoff
  - lift-off - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - improper use of procedure, pilot in command (cause)
- Cargo shift, takeoff - initial climb
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper use of procedure, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - miscellaneous equipment - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 930
- Airframe hours: 9579
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 40; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860804037289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860804037289A), Aug 4, 1986: Bell 206B, Watson, OK, Substantial damage. Helicopter impacted ground after sling caught skid during liftoff. Had detached sling but failed to clear skids.

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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