# NTSB LAX85FA315: Bell 206-B, N38942, Page, AZ, July 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1985, 16:36 local (23:36 UTC)
- Place: Page, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.680477, -111.410873 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6805&lon=-111.4109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24523
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA315
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24523/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA315

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - light condition - daylight
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pressure induced by others, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ON JULY 12, 1984, A BELL 206B HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A STEEL BRIDGE 10 MILES SO OF PAGE, AZ. THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING FILMED IN FLT DURING THE MAKING OF A MOVIE. VMC EXISTED AT THE TIME. THE HELICOPTER WAS DESTROYED AND THE PLT AND PAX, AN ITALIAN ACTOR, WERE FATALLY INJURED. ACCORDING TO THE WITNESSES AND THE FILM, THE ACFT WAS RETURNING TO MAKE ANOTHER PASS UNDERNEATH THE BRIDGE AND WAS PROCEEDING TOWARD THE BRIDGE IN A STRAIGHT AND LEVEL FLT ATTITUDE. WHEN THE ACFT PASSED THROUGH THE ARCH OF THE BRIDGE THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRUCK THE BRIDGE. THE ACFT SEPARATED IN FLT AND CRASHED INTO THE CANYON BELOW. THE PILOT'S BODY WAS NOT RECOVERED. A BOTTLE OF IONAMIN WAS FOUND IN HIS HOTEL ROOM. USE OF THIS DRUG SHOULD BE CONTRAINDICATED FOR 24 HOURS AFTER ITS USE BECAUSE IT MAY CAUSE ERRORS IN JUDGEMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38942](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38942-2012-05-11), registration cancelled 2012-05-11, S/N 3189, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206-B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3189
- Airframe hours: 1567
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Ramsey Helicopters Service
- Registered owner: Dennis F. Nasca
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 26, 1985, 31 hours before
- Departed: PGA, PAGE, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 194 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 2 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PGA, 10 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 19850712030849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850712030849A), Jul 12, 1985: Bell 206B, Page, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Main rotor struck steel bridge spanning a canyon during film sequence. Pilot may have been using ionamin medication

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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