# NTSB SEA87LA059: Bell 206B-III, N90327, Dayton, WA, February 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1987, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Dayton, WA
- Coordinates: 46.30904, -117.899131 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3090&lon=-117.8991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40595
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40595/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA059

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
  - adequate rotor rpm - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PLT LIFTED OFF WITH FERTILIZER BUCKET ON 3-FT EXTERNAL HOOK. AS FWD MOTION COMMENCED, ACFT SETTLED SLIGHTLY, DRAGGING BUCKET ON GROUND AND TIPPING IT OVER. PLT ATTEMPTED TO RECOVER BY BACKING UP, BUT SKID CAUGHT ON BUCKET, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90327](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90327-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 1867, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B-III
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1867
- Airframe hours: 3441
- Engines: ALLISON 250 C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: R. Gary Knight
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1986, 10 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,850 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 4,800 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALW, 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 19870220004429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870220004429A), Feb 20, 1987: Bell 206B, Dayton, WA, Destroyed. The helicopter settled during takeoff tipping over the dump bucket. The pilot attempted to back up but hit bucket.

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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