# NTSB FTW90LA172: Bell B206BIII, N59558, Cameron, LA, August 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1990, 08:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: Cameron, LA
- Coordinates: 29.790159, -93.290878 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7902&lon=-93.2909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23177
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23177/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA172

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO JETTISON THE EXTERNAL LOAD.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AN EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATION USING A 50 FEET SLING LINE. AFTER THE HELICOPTER LIFTED OFF THE GROUND, THE PILOT INITIATED A LEFT PEDAL TURN. THE SLING LINE BECAME FULLY EXTENDED AND THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED BY A GROUND WITNESS TO DRAG THE CARGO BASKET ACROSS THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER BECAME UNSTABLE AS THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT FOR A RIGHT ROLL CONDITION. CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE PILOT DID NOT USE THE RELEASE SYSTEM TO JETTISON THE LOAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59558](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59558-2013-02-08), registration cancelled 2013-02-08, S/N 1413, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL B206BIII
- 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: 1413
- Airframe hours: 11557
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Evergreen Equity Inc., doing business as Evergreen Helicopters Inc.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 30, 1989, 53 hours before
- Departed: NONE, HOLLY BEACH, LA
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,667 total, 362 in this make and model, 1,697 as pilot in command, 149 in the last 90 days, 149 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900830037519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900830037519A), Aug 30, 1990: Bell 206B, Cameron, LA, Substantial damage. Lifted to hover with long line load on ground. Drifted sideways. Lost control. Line pulled helicopter down.

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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