# NTSB MIA98LA120: Bell 205, N508DD, Wewahitchka, FL, April 3, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1998, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Wewahitchka, FL
- Coordinates: 30.110288, -85.189392 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1103&lon=-85.1894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 11, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38487
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38487/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA120

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control as a result of erratic flight control movement due to a surge in hydraulic pressure for undetermined reasons.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - hydraulic system - surge (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - rotorcraft flight control
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot was about to start agricultural operations, and had turned on the fertilizer bucket, when he reported that the hydraulic gauges started to 'surge.'  He said the helicopter, '...then took a violent turn to the left...the helicopter jerked for a third time and came back level.'  He released the fertilizer bucket, and elected to make a forced landing.  He stated, '...the control was going left to right, the collective was not reacting properly, so I spooled off the throttle and landed in the trees.'  Examination of the helicopter's hydraulic system after the accident revealed that impact damage had destroyed the servos and the hydraulic fluid reservoir.  No discrepancies were found with the hydraulic system.

## Factual narrative

On April 3, 1998, about 0830 central standard time, a Bell UH-1H (205) helicopter, N508DD, registered to Precision Air Services, operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 133, agricultural flight, impacted with trees during a forced landing near Wewahitchka, Florida.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The helicopter was destroyed.  The commercial-rated pilot was not injured. The flight had originated at 0800.

The pilot was about to start agricultural operations, and had turned on the fertilizer bucket, when he reported that the hydraulic gauges started to "surge."  He said the helicopter, "...then took a violent turn to the left...the helicopter jerked for a third time and came back level."  He released the fertilizer bucket, and elected to make a forced landing.  He stated, "...the control was going left to right, the collective was not reacting properly, so I spooled off the throttle and landed in the trees."

Examination of the helicopter's hydraulic system after the accident revealed that impact damage had destroyed the servos and the hydraulic fluid reservoir.  No discrepancies were found with the hydraulic system.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N508DD (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Bell 205
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 67-17678
- Engines: Lycoming T53-L-13BA 1300 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 133
- Registered owner: Presision Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 11,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °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 19980403009429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980403009429A), Apr 3, 1998: Bell UH1H, Wewahitchka, FL, Destroyed. Using external load bucket. Hydraulicontrol valve failed. Caused hard over. Dropped bucket. Settled into trees. (.4) on April 3, 1998, about 0830 central…

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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