# NTSB NYC86LA012: Bell 206B, N678TV, Colts Neck, NJ, October 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1985, 09:55 local (13:55 UTC)
- Place: Colts Neck, NJ
- Location: 40.2876° N, 74.1724° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Colts Neck, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2876&lon=-74.1724&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30249
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30249/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA012

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION AT AN ALT OF 1000 FT MSL AT A SPEED OF 100 MPH. THE PLT STATED, AT 75 FT AGL HE STARTED TO DECELERATE AND THE ACFT WAS LEVELED AT 8 FT AGL. CUSHIONING PITCH WAS USED TO HOLD THE ACFT OFF THE GROUND FOR A ZERO GROUND RUN ON TOUCHDOWN. THE HEELS OF THE SKIDS TOUCHED THE TERRAIN RESULTING IN THE NOSE PITCHING UP. THIS RESULTED IN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES FLEXING AND SEVERING THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N678TV (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2400
- Airframe hours: 1637
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 lbs thrust turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rako Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 7, 1985, 37 hours before
- Departed: NK16, N.Y. HELIPORT, NY
- Destination: N61, COLTS NECK, NJ
- Airport: N61, Colts Neck, runway 25, 2,560 × 120 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,103 total, 169 in this make and model, 1,103 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19851017052559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851017052559A), Oct 17, 1985: Bell 206B, Colts Neck, NJ, Substantial damage. Touchdown on heel of skid made nose pitch forward. This, plus low rotor rpms made blades flex, cutting tail boom.

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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