# NTSB NYC84FA307: Bell 206B, N4FL, Wallingford, CT, September 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1984, 16:25 local (20:25 UTC)
- Place: Wallingford, CT
- Location: 41.4570° N, 72.8232° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wallingford, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4570&lon=-72.8232&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35366
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA307
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35366/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA307

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - fuselage - separation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH WIRES AFTER THE PLT ANNOUNCED BY RADIO THAT HE WAS GOING TO MAKE A LOW PASS OVER THE SITE OF AN OUTDOOR EVENT THAT HE HAD JUST ATTENDED. SOME WITNESSES SAW THE HELICOPTER FLYING EXTREMELY LOW. IT APPEARED THAT ONE OF THE LANDING SKID STRUTS CONTACTED THE WIRE. THE ACFT FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN AND SEPARATED INTO PARTS AS IT DESCENDED TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4FL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4FL-1989-08-19), registration cancelled 1989-08-19, S/N 1229 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1229
- Airframe hours: 6704
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Island Helicopter Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 19, 1984, 22 hours before
- Departed: WALLINGFORD, CT
- Destination: 4N6, GARDEN CITY, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,228 total, 490 in this make and model, 1,072 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HVN, 15 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 19840908047459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840908047459A), Sep 8, 1984: Bell 206B, Wallingford, CT, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Helicopter hit powerline and crashed as pilot was making a low pass over area he had just departed.

## Other investigations on N4FL (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC74FHM26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74FHM26), Apr 20, 1974: Bell 206B (N4FL), Hewitt, NJ, substantial damage

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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