# NTSB FTW86LA147: Bell 206B, N2779R, Sand Springs, OK, July 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1986, 18:32 local (23:32 UTC)
- Place: Sand Springs, OK
- Coordinates: 36.129806, -96.129066 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1298&lon=-96.1291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22073
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22073/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA147

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Roll over, hover
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS HOVERING AIRCRAFT AT 3 FEET AND ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT. HIGH SKID GEAR WAS INSTALLED ON THE A/C. THE RIGHT SKID MADE CONTACT WITH THE GROUND CAUSING DYNAMIC ROLLOVER. THE STUDENT PILOT HAD A TOTAL OF 44.2 HOURS FLIGHT TIME WITH 1.5 HOURS SOLO AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2779R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2779R), registered now, S/N 2824 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2824
- Airframe hours: 1442
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald C Bowden, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 1986
- Departed: 6F3, SAND SPRINGS, OK
- Destination: 6F3, SAND SPRINGS, OK
- Airport: 6F3, Eagles Nest

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 44 total, 44 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUL, 12 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 19860725035099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860725035099A), Jul 25, 1986: Bell 206B, Sand Springs, OK, Substantial damage. Helicopter rolled over and struck the ground when student pilot picked it up to a hover. No mechanical problems.

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.