# NTSB MIA85LA192: Bell 206B, N156L, West Palm Beach, FL, June 14, 1985 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 14, 1985, 14:40 local (18:40 UTC) - Place: West Palm Beach, FL - Coordinates: 26.660875, -80.090995 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6609&lon=-80.0910&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 31414 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA192 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31414/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA192 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, hover - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft handling - poor, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, standing - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - aircraft handling - poor, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) TWO HELICOPTERS HAD JUST COMPLETED A MAIL DELIVERY OPERATION AS A FLT OF TWO. N159L HAD LANDED AND THE PLT LEFT THE ENG RUNNING SO AS TO LET THE ENG OPERTING TEMP STABILIZE. N156L APPROACHED IN A GROUND HOVER AND COLLIDED WITH N159L. THE TWO PLTS RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE PLT OF N156L STATED A GUST OF WIND BLEW HIM INTO N159L. THE WINDS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE FROM 140 DEGS AT 6 KTS WITH NO GUSTS REPORTED. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) TWO HELICOPTERS HAD JUST COMPLETED A MAIL DELIVERY OPERATION AS A FLT OF TWO. N159L HAD LANDED AND THE PLT LEFT THE ENG RUNNING SO AS TO LET THE ENG OPERATING TEMP STABILIZE. N156L APPROACHED IN A GROUND HOVER & COLLIDED WITH N159L. THE TWOPLT'S RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE PLT OF N156L STATED A GUST OF WIND BLEW HIM INTO N159L. THE WINDS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE FROM 140 DEGS AT 6 KTS WITH NO GUSTS REPORTED. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N156L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N156L-1991-03-27), registration cancelled 1991-03-27, S/N 2706 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206B - Registry model: [Bell 206B-III](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b-iii) (registry code 1181506) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2706 - Airframe hours: 1768 - Engines: ALLISON C-20B 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Air Coastal Helicopter,Inc. - Registered owner: Horizon Air Services, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 5, 1984, 64 hours before - Departed: BCT, BOCA RATON, FL - Destination: PBI, WEST PALM BCH, FL ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: N159L (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: BELL 206B - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2464 - Airframe hours: 1618 - Engines: ALLISON C-20B 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Air Coastal Helicopters,Inc. - Registered owner: Horizon Air Services, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1985, 12 hours before - Departed: BCT, BOCA RATON, FL - Destination: PBI, WEST PALM BCH, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N156L; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,302 total, 400 in this make and model, 4,202 as pilot in command, 107 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N159L; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,180 total, 918 in this make and model, 1,078 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PBI ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19850614025371A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850614025371A), Jun 14, 1985: Bell 206B3, West Palm Beach, FL, Destroyed. During hover to parking, blades struck idling rotors of N159L. Blade fragments struck other aircraft. - [Accident 19850614025372A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850614025372A), Jun 14, 1985: Bell 206B, West Palm Beach, FL, Substantial damage. After touchdown and while rotors were idling, N156L approached from rear. Whirling blades enmeshed. 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.