# NTSB FTW86LA130: Bell 206B, N352AT, Conroe, TX, July 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1986, 19:30 local (Jul 15, 1986, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Conroe, TX
- Coordinates: 30.38058, -95.380577 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3806&lon=-95.3806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22058
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22058/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA130

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE LOST TAIL ROTOR CONTROL DURING THE TRANSITION PART OF THE TAKEOFF. AS THE HELICOPTER ROTATED TO THE RIGHT, THE PILOT REDUCED POWER AND PULLED IN COLLECTIVE BEFORE IMPACT. EXAMINATION OF THE TAIL ROTOR SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY TAIL ROTOR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N352AT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N352AT-2011-07-25), registration cancelled 2011-07-25, S/N 401, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 401
- Airframe hours: 8162
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cavenaugh Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 24, 1985, 38 hours before
- Destination: 6R3, CLEVELAND, TX
- Airport: CXO, Montgomery Co.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,800 total, 132 in this make and model, 87 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 130° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAH, 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 19860714063909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860714063909A), Jul 14, 1986: Bell 206B, Conroe, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he lost tail rotor control during takeoff. Collective control unable to prevent hard landing.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.