# NTSB NYC84FA202: Bell 206B, N75SP, Georgetown, DE, May 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1984, 19:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Georgetown, DE
- Coordinates: 38.690654, -75.37989 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6907&lon=-75.3799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35348
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35348/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA202

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - initiated, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, takeoff

## Analysis

AFTER PERFORMING POLICE PATROL ACTIVITIES, THE AIRCREW LANDED, REFUELED THE HELICOPTER, THEN TOOK OFF TO PRACTICE AUTOROTATIVE LANDINGS. TWO AUTOROTATIVE LANDINGS WERE MADE ON RWY 22, THEN 2 MORE WERE MADE ON AN ADJACENT GRASS AREA. AFTER THE 2ND LANDING ON THE GRASS, THE PLT STARTED TO TAKE OFF AGAIN. HE STATED THE HELICOPTER WAS TRAVELING LEVEL ALONG THE GROUND WITH VERY LITTLE WEIGHT ON THE SKIDS AT A SPEED OF 5 TO 10 MPH. HE THEN SAW A DRAINAGE DITCH, SURROUNDED BY HI GRASS, ABOUT 10 FT AHEAD. HE APPLIED POWER & INCREASED THE COLLECTIVE TO CLEAR THE DITCH. REPORTEDLY, THE SOUNDS OF THE ENG INCREASED; HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER STARTED TO ROLL & YAW TO THE RIGHT. ALSO, THE POWER WAS REPORTEDLY REDUCED TO CORRECT THE YAW, BUT THE HELICOPTER'S RIGHT SKID CONTACTED THE TURF, THE ACFT ROLLED TO THE RIGHT & THE MAIN ROTORS CONTACTED THE GROUND. AN EXAM OF THE ENG & AIRFRAME WERE MADE, BUT NO PRE-CRASH, MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N75SP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1716
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Delaware State Police
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 4, 1984, 56 hours before
- Airport: Sussex County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,534 total, 919 in this make and model, 1,312 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBY, 22 nm away

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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