# NTSB FTW92GA080: Bell 206B III, N3201R, Falfurrias, TX, March 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1992, 22:35 local (Mar 3, 1992, 04:35 UTC)
- Place: Falfurrias, TX
- Coordinates: 27.22001, -98.13945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2200&lon=-98.1394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18379
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92GA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18379/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92GA080

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DUE TO HIS ABILITY TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BEING RESTRICTED.  FACTORS WERE THE OBSERVER'S DELAY IN INFORMING THE PILOT OF THE REARWARD DRIFT AND THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS.

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS CONDUCTING A COVERT DRUG INTERDICTION MISSION AT A REMOTE LANDING SITE.  THE PILOT LIFTED OFF TO A HOVER AND WAS GOING TO TAKE OFF IN A BLACKED OUT CONFIGURATION SO AS TO NOT ALERT THE SMUGGLERS OF THE AIRCRAFT'S PRESENCE.  AS THE PILOT PREPARED TO INITIATE THE FORWARD FLIGHT PORTION OF THE TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED TO THE REAR AND COLLIDED WITH AN UNOCCUPIED MOBILE HOME.  THE LEFT STABILIZER AND THE LEFT SIDE OF THE AIRCRAFT CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE TRAILER AND THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OVER ONTO THE ROOF.  THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE OVERCAST WITH GUSTY WINDS AND DARK NIGHT WITH NO AMBIENT LIGHT.  THE OBSERVER STATED THAT HE PERCEIVED THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTING BACKWARDS BUT DID NOT WARN THE PILOT EARLY ENOUGH FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION. THE OPERATOR DID NOT HAVE FORMAL TRAINING PROCEDURES DEVELOPED FOR THE BLACKED OUT OPERATION OR FOR THE ORIENTATION OF OBSERVERS IN SURVEILLANCE OR AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, hover
  - object - residence
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (cause)
  - crew/group coordination - delayed, passenger (contributing factor)
  - condition(s)/step(s) insufficiently defined, company/operator management
- Roll over, hover

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3201R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3201R-2002-12-26), registration cancelled 2002-12-26, S/N 3925, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B III
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3925
- Airframe hours: 2150
- Engines: ALLISON 250C-20J 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Operator: Texas Dept. Of Public Safety
- Registered owner: Texas Dept. Of Public Safety
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 22, 1992, 50 hours before
- Destination: NONE, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4,236 total, 2,998 in this make and model, 3,824 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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