# NTSB SEA83LA147: Bell 206B, N2202F, John Day, OR, July 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1983, 06:05 local (13:05 UTC)
- Place: John Day, OR
- Coordinates: 44.419841, -118.939117 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4198&lon=-118.9391&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): 39727
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39727/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA147

## Analysis

THE ROTORCRAFT PITCHED UP, YAWED RIGHT, MADE 180 DEGREE TURNAND LANDED HARD AFTER THE PILOT EXPERIENCED SUNGLARE DURING INITIAL CLIMB. THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE DEPARTING THE GRASS STRIP FOR AERIAL APPLICATION, THE SUN BURST FROM BEHIND ACLOUD & BLINDED HIM WHEN HE WAS ABOUT 40 FEET AGL. HE THEN LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT AS IT PITCHED AND YAWED AND LOST AIRSPEED. THE PILOT COMPLETED A 180 DEGREE TURN AND LANDED HARD AFTER WHICH THE ROTORCRAFT ROLLED ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
- Roll over, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2202F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3521
- Airframe hours: 1200
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C205 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Hi Life Helicopters
- Registered owner: Greyhound Leasing & Financial
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 30, 1983, 1,030 hours before
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,000 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 5,750 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BND, 20 nm away

## 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 19830713034239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830713034239A), Jul 13, 1983: Bell 206B, John Day, OR, Substantial damage. During takeoff, pilot lost control of the helicopter due to sun glare. Aircraft damaged during hard landing.

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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