# NTSB SEA88FA176: Bell 204B, Entiat, WA, September 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1988, 19:10 local (Sep 10, 1988, 02:10 UTC)
- Place: Entiat, WA
- Coordinates: 47.79, -120.439849 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7900&lon=-120.4398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40736
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88FA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40736/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88FA176

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - mountain wave (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance - exceeded
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor drive system,main rotor mast(drive shaft) - fractured (cause)
  - cyclic - improper use of, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ON CONTRACT TO STATE OF WA AND WORKING TO SUPPRESS A FOREST FIRE USING A WATER BUCKET SUSPENDED ON A LONG LINE. THE ACFT HAD REFUELED AT A TEMPORARY HELIPORT AT ENTIAT, WA AND WAS ENROUTE TO THE WORK AREA 15 NM SW OF ENTIAT BUT DID NOT ARRIVE AT THE AREA. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED ON THE EASTERN SLOPE OF STEEP MOUNTAINS. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF INFLT MAIN ROTOR MAST FRACTURE AND ACFT BREAK-UP. WX DATA INDICATED STRONG GUSTY NW WINDS AND MOUNTAIN WAVE CONDITIONS IN THE AREA. EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE COPILOT WAS AT THE CONTROLS. THIS WAS THE COPILOTS FIRST FLT IN THE BH-204 AND HIS FIRST FLT FOR THIS COMPANY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CFAHY (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 204B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2069
- Airframe hours: 16885
- Engines: LYCOMING T53-13B 1400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Vancouver Island Helicopters
- Registered owner: Vancouver Island Helic., Ltd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 8, 1988, 13 hours before
- Departed: ENTIAT, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,850 total, 1,446 in this make and model, 162 in the last 90 days, 87 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 18 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAT, 14 nm away

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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