# NTSB MIA84FA166: Bell UH-1B, N2252A, Clermont, FL, May 10, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1984, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Clermont, FL
- Location: 28.5241° N, 81.7236° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Clermont, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5241&lon=-81.7236&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30994
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30994/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA166

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, ground personnel (cause)
  - pickup equipment - deployed inadvertently
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS NOT AWARE THAT TWO GROUND ATTENDANTS WERE RIDING THE CABLE DURING A LOGGING OPERATION WHEN THERE WAS AN ACCIDENTAL CABLE RELEASE & THE ATTENDANTS FELL TO THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFTS HOOK DID NOT REVEAL A SYSTEM FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. HOWEVER, SIMILAR OCCURRENCES HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN SITUATIONS INVOLVING BOTH CIVILIAN & MILITARY HELICOPTERS WHICH WERE EQUIPPED WITH HOOKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2252A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2252A), registered now, S/N 61-0798, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL UH-1B
- Registry model: [Bell-Sw Florida Avn UH-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-sw-florida-avn-uh-1b) (registry code 118141B) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming T-53 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t-53-series) (registry code 41552, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 610798
- Airframe hours: 7897
- Engines: LYCOMING T53-L-11D 1100 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 133
- Registered owner: Albert P. Whaley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 8, 1984, 27 hours before
- Departed: CLEARMONT, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,011 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 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 19840510018609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840510018609A), May 10, 1984: Bell UH1B, Clermont, FL. Two ground attendants fell to the ground when long line accidently released. Pilot was unaware that men were there.

## Other investigations on N2252A (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 FTW85FA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA188), Apr 15, 1985: Bell UH-1B (N2252A), Boutte, LA, destroyed

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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