# NTSB SEA83FA033: Bell 214B, N244PH, Near Randle, WA, December 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 18, 1982, 02:00 local (10:00 UTC)
- Place: Near Randle, WA
- Coordinates: 46.469913, -121.819465 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4699&lon=-121.8195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71919
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83FA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71919/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FA033

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED A PRIVATE HELIPORT & IMPACTED A MOUNTAIN AT THE 3,400 FT LEVEL. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED ABOUT ONE MILE EAST FROM THE HELIPORT. THE IMPACT SITE WAS HIDDEN BEHIND A RIDGE & IS NOT VISIBLE FROM THE HELIPORT OR THE ACCESS ROAD TO THE HELIPORT. THE IMPACT AREA WAS COVERED BY FRESH SNOW. THE STEEP SLOPE, ABOUT 80 DEG, WAS CRISSCROSSED BY FALLEN TIMBER & MANY TREE STUMPS. ALTHOUGH STARS WERE VISIBLE AT THE HELIPORT, FOG WAS OBSERVED IN THE MOUNTAINS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, unknown
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N244PH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N244PH-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N 28061, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 214B
- Registry model: [Bell 214B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-214b) (registry code 1182100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 28061
- Airframe hours: 1214
- Engines: LYCOMING T5508-D 2050 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Chas. Perry/Paramount Helicopt
- Registered owner: K.P. Helicopters, Inc.
- Departed: NEAR RANDLE, WA
- Destination: CARSON CITY, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 8,331 total, 7,950 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 86 °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 19821218064369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821218064369A), Dec 18, 1982: Bell 214B, Randle, WA, Destroyed. Flew into a fogbank shortly after a night takeoff. Impacted a fog-obscured mountainside. Misjudged rising terrain.

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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