# NTSB NYC87FA025: Bell 206B, N52EG, Brattleboro, VT, October 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1986, 04:10 local (09:10 UTC)
- Place: Brattleboro, VT
- Location: 42.8615° N, 72.5596° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Brattleboro, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8615&lon=-72.5596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30473
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30473/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA025

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - tree(s)
  - vfr procedures - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER CRASHED INTO A WOODED RIDGE APRX 2 NM FROM IT'S LIFTOFF LOCATION. PERSONS WHO RESIDE UNDER THE FLT PATH WERE AWAKENED BY THE ACFT AS IT WAS DESCENDING INTO IMC AT WHAT SOUNDED LIKE FULL POWER. THE PLT'S HELIPORT WAS AT AN ELEVATION OF 950 FT AND WAS IN VFR CONDITIONS ABOVE THE FOG. THE CRASH SITE WAS AT 350 FT IN DENSE FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52EG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52EG-1991-01-22), registration cancelled 1991-01-22, S/N 3248 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B-III](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b-iii) (registry code 1181506) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3248
- Airframe hours: 1511
- Engines: ALLISON C-20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Georges Leasing Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 29, 1986, 49 hours before
- Departed: BRATTLEBORO, VT
- Destination: BOSTON, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 850 total, 350 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/bright
- Wind: variable at 1 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 350 ft
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 45 °F

## 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 19861029052129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861029052129A), Oct 29, 1986: Bell 206B, Brattleboro, VT, Destroyed. The helicopter hit trees during low level flight. The VFR pilot had entered IFR conditions.

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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