# NTSB MIA90LA158: Bell 206B, N2164Z, Sarasota, FL, July 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1990, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Sarasota, FL
- Location: 27.3383° N, 82.5437° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sarasota, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.3383&lon=-82.5437&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32685
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32685/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA158

## Probable cause

IMPROPER CONTROL INPUT AFTER THE LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - emergency equipment - not used, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE FLYING AT ABOUT 35 MPH AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 3-5 FT ABOVE THE WATER & 50 FT ABEAM A BOAT WHICH WAS BEING FILMED BY PHOTOGRAPHERS IN THE ACFT, THE ACFT YAWED TO THE RT, PITCHED DOWN & LEFT. HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THIS BEFORE IMPACT. THE FLOATS WERE NOT DEPLOYED. DEBRIS FROM THE HELICOPTER INJURED A PAX IN THE BOAT. 1 OF THE 3 PAX IN THE HELICOPTER WAS UNABLE TO EXIT IT AFTER IMPACT DUE TO TAPE THAT HE PUT AROUND THE SEATBELT RELEASE MECHANISM. THE PLT ASSISTED HIM. EXAM OF THE HELIOCPTER REVEALED NO FLT CONTROL OR ENG FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2164Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2164Z-1990-08-15), registration cancelled 1990-08-15, S/N 3494 (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: 3494
- Engines: ALLISON C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Suncoast Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 29, 1990
- Departed: SRQ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,800 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 3,690 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SRQ, 1 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 19900724060119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900724060119A), Jul 24, 1990: Bell 206B, Sarasota, FL, Substantial damage. Veered right flying low and slow over glassy water. Over compensated with left input skid hit water causing crash.

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.