# NTSB MIA84LA248: Bell 206L-1, N29GW, West Palm Bch, FL, September 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1984, 12:32 local (16:32 UTC)
- Place: West Palm Bch, FL
- Coordinates: 26.660549, -80.090568 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6605&lon=-80.0906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31189
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84LA248
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31189/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA248

## Sequence of events

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

- Roll over, standing - idling rotors
  - rotorcraft flight control,collective control - unlocked (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, standing - idling rotors

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD FLOWN THE ACFT FROM ONE FIXED BASE OPERATOR ON THE ARPT TO ANOTHER TO POSITION THE ACFT. HE STATED THAT HE PUT FRICTION ON THE CYCLIC CONTROL BUT NOT THE COLLECTIVE CONTROL, REDUCED THROTTLE TO FLT IDLE, AND EXITED THE ACFT. HE WAS WALKING TO THE HANGAR TO GET A PORTABLE LANDING DOLLY WHEN HE SAW THE ROTOR DISC TILTED FWD AND THE ACFT SHAKING; HE RAN AWAY, THE ACFT ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N29GW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45550
- Airframe hours: 651
- Engines: Detr. Diesel 250-C28B 250 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gulf & Western Industries
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 1984, 0 hours before
- Airport: PBI, West Palm Beach

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 22,587 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 20,992 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI

## 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 19840904052309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840904052309A), Sep 4, 1984: Bell 206L1, West Palm Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot left helicopter with rotors idling. Rotors tilted, hit ramp, rolled onto side. Debris hit parked aircraft.

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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