# NTSB MKC86FA037: Bell 206L, N110LG, Ainsworth, NE, December 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 20, 1985, 18:55 local (Dec 21, 1985, 00:55 UTC)
- Place: Ainsworth, NE
- Coordinates: 42.539119, -99.850914 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5391&lon=-99.8509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34056
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86FA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34056/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86FA037

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure induced by others, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - spiral - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THIS MED-EVAC HELICOPTER WAS BEING POSITIONED TO PICK UP A PATIENT. THE PLT OBTAINED A WX BRIEFING WHICH INCLUDED A FORECAST FOR A CHANCE OF MARGINAL VMC ALONG THE PLANNED ROUTE, ALTHOUGH AT THE TIME OF THE BRIEFING THE DEST WEATHER WAS VMC. THE FLT DEPARTED AT ABOUT SUNDOWN AND THE DEST WX DETERIORATED WHILE THE FLT WAS ENROUTE. WITNESSES NEAR THE ACDT SITE, WHICH WAS 23 NM SE OF THE DEST. REPORTED FREEZING RAIN AND/OR WET SNOW FALLING AS THE HELICOPTER FLEW PAST THEIR RANCHES AT LOW ALT HEADING NW. IT WAS COMPLETELY DARK AT THE TIME OF THE ACDT AND THE AREA WHERE THE ACDT OCCURRED IS SPARSLEY POPULATED PROVIDING FEW GROUND LIGHTS FOR VISUAL REF. THE HELICOPTER CRASHED IN HILLY, SNOW COVERED TERRAIN IN A NEAR VERTICAL, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE AND WAS DESTROYED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N110LG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N110LG-1988-07-06), registration cancelled 1988-07-06, S/N 45078 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L
- Registry model: [Bell 206L](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l) (registry code 1181522) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Airframe hours: 3625
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald D. Rodgers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 12, 1985, 18 hours before
- Departed: EAR, KEARNEY, NE
- Destination: AINSWORTH, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,264 total, 271 in this make and model, 1,834 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANW, 23 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 19851220065159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851220065159A), Dec 20, 1985: Bell 206L, Ainsworth, NE, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck ground at night after encountering freezing drizzle en route to pick up a patient. Ice on rotors possible.

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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