# NTSB MKC88FA070: Bell 206L-1, N119AE, Springfield, MO, April 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1988, 04:45 local (10:45 UTC)
- Place: Springfield, MO
- Coordinates: 37.279605, -93.290763 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2796&lon=-93.2908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34489
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88FA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34489/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA070

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - emergency lights - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ENROUTE TO A VEHICLE ACCIDENT THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED INSTRUMENT FLIGHT CONDITIONS.  AS A RESULT OF FLYING INTO FOG AND TURNING ON HIS NIGHT SCANNER LIGHT, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL.  THE PILOT ELECTED TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AND IMPACTED A LARGE ROW OF HAY BALES. THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. WEATHER IN THE AREA WAS FORCAST TO BE MARGINAL VFR WITH PERIODS OF INSTRUMENT FLIGHT CONDITIONS. LOCAL WEATHER WAS ADDRESSED BY A SIGMET (NO. 23C) AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N119AE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N119AE-1990-04-11), registration cancelled 1990-04-11, S/N 45293 (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: 45293
- Airframe hours: 3608
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C30P 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1988, 75 hours before
- Departed: SPRINGFIELD, MO
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,951 total, 149 in this make and model, 65 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SGF, 6 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 19880401007759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880401007759A), Apr 1, 1988: Bell 206L1, Springfield, MO, Substantial damage. Encountered dense fog near landing area. Tried to land in a field. Blinded by scanner light, lost control, crashed.

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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