# NTSB MIA84FA067: Bell 206B, N51DC, Stuart, FL, January 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1984, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Stuart, FL
- Location: 27.1953° N, 80.2437° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Stuart, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.1953&lon=-80.2437&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30965
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30965/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA067

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER FLYING AT 100 TO 150 FT ABOVE THE WATER & ABOUT 100 YDS OFFSHORE. THEY OBSERVED & HEARD NOTHING UNUSUAL, EXCEPT THEY SAID THE HELICOPTER BEGAN DESCENDING UNTIL IT IMPACTED THE WATER. THE REAR DOORS HAD BEEN REMOVED FOR THE FLT. BOTH PASSENGERS RELATED THAT A SEAT CUSHION WAS LOOSE AND THE PLT TURNED IN HIS SEAT WITH HIS ARM BEHIND THE SEAT & WAS TRYING TO SECURE THE CUSHION WHEN THE HELICOPTER SUDDENLY DESCENDED INTO THE WATER. NEITHER PASSENGER NOTICED ANYTHING UNUSUAL IN THE OPERATION OF THE HELICOPTER BEFORE IT CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51DC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51DC-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 2732 (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: 2732
- Airframe hours: 813
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Sundance Helicopter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 14, 1983, 81 hours before
- Departed: STUART, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; medical: class 1, expired; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 27 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 19840127001529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840127001529A), Jan 27, 1984: Bell 206B, Stuart, FL, Destroyed. Accidently flew into the ocean water while trying to secure a rear seat cushion. Doors removed for aerial photos.

## Other investigations on N51DC (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 MIA83LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA199), Aug 4, 1983: Bell 206B (N51DC), Stuart, FL, 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.

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