# NTSB SEA83LA140: Bell 205-A1, N1347N, John Day, OR, July 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1983, 06:10 local (13:10 UTC)
- Place: John Day, OR
- Coordinates: 44.420852, -118.940185 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4209&lon=-118.9402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39722
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39722/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA140

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT BEFORE STARTING HIS TAKEOFF, HE HOVERED FOR APRX 20 MIN TO GET THE HELICOPTER'S WEIGHT TO WHERE THE ACFT WOULD HOVER OUT OF GROUND EFFECT. THE TAKEOFF WAS BEGUN WITH A CLIMB SPEED OF 45 KTS; HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE PLT STATED THAT AS HE STARTED TO CLIMB. THERE WAS A LOSS OF ROTOR RPM & THE HELICOPTER CRASHED. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS APRX 6500 FT & THE WINDS WERE LIGHT AT 3 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1347N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 205-A1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 30016
- Airframe hours: 3015
- Engines: LYCOMING T5313B 1250 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Southern Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1983, 68 hours before
- Departed: JOHN DAY, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 10,314 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 180 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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