# NTSB SEA89LA087: Bell 206B III, N5013C, Lewiston, ID, May 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1989, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Lewiston, ID
- Coordinates: 46.160099, -116.919395 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1601&lon=-116.9194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41013
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41013/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA087

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE HELICOPTER'S FLIGHT CONTROLS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE EXTERNAL LOAD CHARACTERISTICS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - external load equipment - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING PRACTICE EXTERNAL LOAD (WATER DROP) OPS, PLT AT CONTROLS WAS MANEUVERING FOR DROP AND FAILED TO ALLOW FOR A LOAD SWING WHICH CAUSED THE HELICOPTER TO PITCH UP. PLT LOWERED COLLECTIVE AND COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN. BOTH PILOTS WERE PRACTICING WATER DROPS DURING THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5013C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5013C-1992-12-30), registration cancelled 1992-12-30, S/N 2568 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B III
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2568
- Airframe hours: 3389
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Gale Wilson, doing business as Hillcrest Aircraft Co., Inc.
- Registered owner: Hillcrest Aircraft Co, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 13, 1989, 2 hours before
- Departed: LWS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,335 total, 2,956 in this make and model, 4,606 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19890517011679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890517011679A), May 17, 1989: Bell 206B, Lewiston, ID, Substantial damage. While practicing long line water pickups and drops, pilot maneuvered abruptly causing load swing pitch up and crash

## Other investigations on N5013C (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA79FTA19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FTA19), Aug 28, 1979: Bell 206B (N5013C), Absarokee, MT, substantial damage

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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