# NTSB SEA00TA182: Bell 206-L4, N3310, Atlanta, ID, September 21, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: September 21, 2000, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Atlanta, ID - Coordinates: 43.799015, -115.149566 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7990&lon=-115.1496&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51336 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00TA182 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51336/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00TA182 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an object. Trees and inadequate ground communications were a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, descent - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - air/ground communications - inadequate, ground personnel (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had performed an aerial survey of the site for an external load drop, and determined that there was sufficient room to belly hook the load in lieu of a long line. As the helicopter descended to the drop zone, the main rotor blades struck 1-2 inch in diameter pine trees. The pilot was unaware of the collision, and after dropping the load, began the vertical climb to clear the trees and then to transition to forward flight. At approximately 40 knots, the pilot felt a vibration and elected to fly the 3.5 miles back to the cargo loading site. After landing, the main rotor blades were inspected and evidence of the collision to both blades were noted. The ground crew member at the drop zone, and who was in contact with the pilot, reported that she was 'awestruck' when the collision occurred, but allowed the drop to continue and did not notify the pilot of the collision at the time. ## Factual narrative On September 21, 2000, at 1100 mountain daylight time, a Bell 206-L4, N3310, registered to Air Resources Helicopters, and operated by the United States Forest Service as a public use external load operation, collided with trees during descent to the landing zone near Atlanta, Idaho. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a company flight plan was in effect. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated from a forest service strip near Graham, Idaho, at an unknown time. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he performed an aerial survey of the drop points (one and two) and determined that there was sufficient room to belly hook the loads in lieu of using a long line. The pilot then returned to Graham to pick up the cargo that was pre-rigged in cargo nets. The pilot reported that as he was descending to drop point two, a ground crew member was talking to him on the radio and giving him distance to the ground information. The load was released and the pilot began a vertical climb to clear trees, and then transitioned to forward flight. The pilot reported that at approximately 40 knots, he felt a one-to-one vertical vibration. Due to the lack of an acceptable landing site, the pilot elected to return the 3.5 miles back to Graham. After landing and upon inspection of the helicopter, it was found that the main rotor blades were damaged. The pilot stated that he was unaware of the collision. Two ground crew members present at the drop point reported that they expected the load to be dropped via a long line, and were surprised when the helicopter approached with the load attached at the belly hook. The drop point was a clearing surrounded by dead (burned) lodge pole pine trees. The ground crew reported that as the helicopter descended, the main rotor blades struck two of the approximate 1-3 inch diameter trees that were located at about the pilot's nine o-clock position. The helicopter continued to the drop spot where the load was released. After the release, the helicopter lifted away to the south of the clearing to return to Graham. The ground crew member who was in contact with the pilot reported that she was "awestruck" when the collision occurred, but allowed the drop to continue and did not notify the pilot of the collision at the time. She later stated, "HINDSIGHT: I should have notified the pilot sooner of strike. Also, I should have discussed using the long line as an option further." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3310](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3310-2010-03-04), registration cancelled 2010-03-04, S/N 52094, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206-L4 - Registry model: [Bell 206-L4](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206-l4) (registry code 1182110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C30 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c30-series) (registry code 03015, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 52094 - Airframe hours: 2261 - Engines: Allison 250-C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Public use - Operator: US Forest Service - Registered owner: Air Resources Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 9, 2000, 6 hours before - Departed: U45, GRAHAM, ID - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 7,944 total, 7,700 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 41 °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 20000921015159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000921015159A), Sep 21, 2000: Bell 206L4, Atlanta, ID, No damage. (-23) Helicopter was operating under a forest service contract performing external load work using a belly hook instead of a long line. The helicopter was… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.