# NTSB LAX86LA098: Bell 222UT, N3177G, La Habra, CA, January 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 26, 1986, 05:25 local (13:25 UTC)
- Place: La Habra, CA
- Coordinates: 33.939407, -117.949615 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9394&lon=-117.9496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25059
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25059/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA098

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vertical takeoff - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - rotor system,tail rotor hub - separation (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON JANUARY 26, 1986 A BELL 222UT COLLIDED WITH A 3/8 INCH SUPPORT CABLE. THE PILOT SAW THE LOWER OF TWO OF THE THREE SUPPORT CABLES ABOUT 75 FEET AGL AS HE WAS TRANSITIONING TO FORWARD FLIGHT FROM A VERTICAL MAX PERFORMANCE T/O. THE PILOT APPLIED AFT CYCLIC AND INCREASED COLLECTIVE TO CLEAR THE CABLES. THE PILOT THEN SAW THE THIRD CABLE AS THE ACFT STRUCK IT. THE CABLE BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE TAIL ROTOR AND MOMENTARILY TETHERED THE AIRCRAFT. THE TAILROTOR AND TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX SEPARATED, THUS FREEING THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT INITIATED THE EMERGENCY LANDING BY REDUCING BOTH THROTTLES TO THE ENGINE IDLE STOP TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD WHICH COLLAPSED THE SKIDS AND SEVERED THE TAILBOOM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3177G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3177G-2012-09-11), registration cancelled 2012-09-11, S/N 47502, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 222UT
- Registry model: [Bell 222U](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-222u) (registry code 1182140) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming LTS-101 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-lts-101-series) (registry code 41560, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 47502
- Airframe hours: 1286
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS101-750C1 684 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Air Transport System, Inc., doing business as [Ems]
- Registered owner: Textron Financial Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 17, 1986, 16 hours before
- Destination: TUSTIN, CA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,199 total, 60 in this make and model, 4,013 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19860126001349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860126001349A), Jan 26, 1986: Bell 222U, La Habra, CA, Substantial damage. Did not see third cable in time to avoid a strike. Tail rotor and gearbox separated. Medical evacuation flight.

## Other investigations on N3177G (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW84LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA090), Dec 10, 1983: Bell 222U (N3177G), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage

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.