# NTSB SEA94LA057: Bell 206B, N43823, Cathlamet, WA, February 3, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1994, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Cathlamet, WA
- Coordinates: 46.219257, -123.309158 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2193&lon=-123.3092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41873
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41873/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA057

## Probable cause

LOAD JETTISON WAS NOT PERFORMED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A LONG LINE OPERATION THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE THE BUCKET WAS BEING FILLED WITH FERTILIZER IT BEGAN TO SWING.  THE BUCKET CAUGHT ON THE LOADING TRUCK AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Factual narrative

On February 3, 1994, at 1030 Pacific standard time, a Bell 206B, N43823, collided with the terrain during an external load operation, 16 miles north of Cathlamet, Washington.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The helicopter was substantially damaged and the certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries.

It was reported that the helicopter was hovering over the ground crew truck with a bucket on the end of the long line.  The ground crew were filling the bucket with fertilizer, when the bucket began swinging and caught on the truck.  The pilot was unable to release the long line before the rotor blades contacted the nearby terrain.  The pilot was unable to maintain control of the helicopter which struck the ground and began to roll down the hill.  The long line became entangled in the trees and stopped the helicopter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43823](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43823-1995-02-09), registration cancelled 1995-02-09, S/N 4235 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 4235
- Airframe hours: 654
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20J 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 133
- Operator: Reforestation Services Inc.
- Registered owner: Reforestation Services Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 4, 1994, 20 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 10,000 total, 950 in this make and model, 27 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19940203001429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940203001429A), Feb 3, 1994: Bell 206B, Cathlamet, WA, Substantial damage. Hovering while ground crew filling bucket. The bucket began swinging. Hooked truck, dragged chopper down.

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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