# NTSB MKC86FA020: Bell 206L-1, N27689, Mansfield, MO, November 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1985, 18:50 local (Nov 1, 1985, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Mansfield, MO
- Coordinates: 37.099994, -92.580238 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1000&lon=-92.5802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34047
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86FA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34047/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86FA020

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - object - wire,static
  - object - wire,transmission
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTING WEST PLAINS HOSPITAL FOR SPRINGFIELD, TRANSFERRING A CRITICALLY INJURED PATIENT, THE PLT OF THE EMS HELICOPTER BEGAN TO ENCOUNTER DETERIORATING WEATHER. THE PLT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CLOSE SPREAD OF TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT, BUT HAD ADEQUATE CEILINGS AND VISIBILITIES ALONG HIS ROUTE OF FLT TO CONTINUE. AFTER CRESTING A HILL WEST OF MANSFIELD, MISSOURI, ALONG MISSOURI HWY 60, THE PLT ENCOUNTERED LOWERING CEILINGS AND LIGHT FOG. THE PLT STATED HE DID NOT LIKE THE CONDITION OF THE WEATHER AFTER PASSING THE HILL AND INITIATED A RIGHT TURN TO PROCEED BACK TO MANSFIELD. POWER LINES WERE IMPACTED BY THE HELICOPTER IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PLT INITIATED THE TURN. THE PLT DID NOT REALIZE THAT HE HAD DESCENDED LOW ENOUGH TO STRIKE THE POWER LINES THAT WERE OBSCURED IN FOG AND LOW CLOUDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27689](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27689-1989-03-02), registration cancelled 1989-03-02, S/N 45289 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45289
- Airframe hours: 2929
- Engines: ALLISON 250C-28 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Air Evac Ems
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 17, 1985, 76 hours before
- Departed: H63, WEST PLAINS, MO
- Destination: SPF, SPRINGFIELD, MO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 7,377 total, 1,836 in this make and model, 7,105 as pilot in command, 131 in the last 90 days, 81 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SPF, 32 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 19851031071639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851031071639A), Oct 31, 1985: Bell 206L1, Mansfield, MO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck powerlines and impacted ground while turning to avoid deteriorating weather. Lines were 53 feet above ground

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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