# NTSB NYC84LA231: Bell 206B, N5003X, Somers, CT, July 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1984, 22:20 local (Jul 4, 1984, 02:20 UTC)
- Place: Somers, CT
- Location: 41.9917° N, 72.4451° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Somers, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9917&lon=-72.4451&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35699/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA231

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,skid assembly - overload (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - excessive, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A HARD TOUCHDOWN WITH THE LEFT SIDE LOW. ONE SIDE OF THE ROTOR CAME OFF AND THE OTHER HIT THE ENGINE ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE PASSENGERS ABOARD THE ACFT. THE PLT SAID THAT THE APPROACH WAS NORMAL AND HE BROUGHT THE ACFT TOA HOVER. HOWEVER SUDDENLY THE ACFT WAS ON THE GROUND. THE LANDING COLLAPSED THE LEFT SKID. THE PASSENGERS ALL AGREED THAT THE ACFT WAS LOW AND APPROCHING TOO FAST WITH THE LEFT SIDE LOWER THAN THE RIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5003X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5003X-1991-06-28), registration cancelled 1991-06-28, S/N 2440 (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: 2440
- Airframe hours: 919
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C2OB 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Afm Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1984, 47 hours before
- Departed: GRANDVILLE, MA
- Destination: SOMERS, CT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 9,753 total, 562 in this make and model, 9,753 as pilot in command, 176 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 15 statute miles

## 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 19840703033179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840703033179A), Jul 3, 1984: Bell 206B, Somers, CT, Substantial damage. As helicopter was brought to a hover it contacted ground hard. Left skid collapsed. One rotor blade came off.

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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