# NTSB SEA91FA184: Bell 206B, N276KA, Toutle, WA, July 22, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1991, 16:25 local (23:25 UTC)
- Place: Toutle, WA
- Coordinates: 46.310161, -122.690589 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3102&lon=-122.6906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41331
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91FA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41331/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA184

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND CORRECT FOR THE RIGHT YAWING CONDITION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, DIVERTED ATTENTION, AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPEREINCE IN TYPE OF AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - passenger briefing - not performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL SIGHT-SEEING FLIGHT, THE PILOT INITIATED A RIGHT DESCENDING TURN TO VIEW A HERD OF ELK NEAR A DRY RIVER BED. THE PASSENGERS STATED THAT THE FIRST TURN WAS NORMAL; HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO TURN WHICH ACCELERATED WITH EACH ROTATION UNTIL THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED INTO THE DRY RIVER BED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N276KA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N276KA-2013-04-15), registration cancelled 2013-04-15, S/N 1949, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1949
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Intermountain Air Service
- Registered owner: Intermountain Air Service

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,964 total, 19 in this make and model, 1,717 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910722029069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910722029069A), Jul 22, 1991: Bell 206B, Toutle, WA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Circling low and slow over elk herd. In right turn lost tail rotor effectiveness. Failed to correct and crashed.

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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