# NTSB NYC88LA044: Bell 206B, N3888Q, Beverly, MA, November 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1987, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Beverly, MA
- Location: 42.5841° N, 70.9161° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BEVERLY RGNL (BVY), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5841&lon=-70.9161&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36066
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36066/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA044

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - penetrated
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - sheared
  - terrain condition - uphill
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS ON A NORMAL APPROACH TO BEVERLY AIRPORT AND WAS CLEARED TO CROSS RUNWAY 27 FROM THE SOUTHEAST. THE PILOT ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION BUT REALIZED THAT THE GROUND WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND WAS VERY MUDDY. IN AN ATTEMPT TO SHIFT DIRECTIONS AT THE LAST MINUTE, THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED ON A SOFT MUDDY SLOPE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3888Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3158
- Airframe hours: 3580
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: No. Atlantic Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 16, 1987, 35 hours before
- Departed: BVY, BEVERLY, MA
- Airport: BVY, Beverly

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 13,609 total, 2,300 in this make and model, 13,609 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19871124067799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871124067799A), Nov 24, 1987: Bell 206B, Beverly, MA, Substantial damage. Unintenionally allowed the helicopter to land in soft mud while changing landing area after flare. Rolled over.

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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