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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 24, 1990 · Bell 206B · N2164Z

Sarasota, FL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 24, 1990
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 minor injuries), 1 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome
Location
Sarasota, FL
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N2164Z
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA90LA158

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE FLYING AT ABOUT 35 MPH AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 3-5 FT ABOVE THE WATER & 50 FT ABEAM A BOAT WHICH WAS BEING FILMED BY PHOTOGRAPHERS IN THE ACFT, THE ACFT YAWED TO THE RT, PITCHED DOWN & LEFT. HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THIS BEFORE IMPACT. THE FLOATS WERE NOT DEPLOYED. DEBRIS FROM THE HELICOPTER INJURED A PAX IN THE BOAT. 1 OF THE 3 PAX IN THE HELICOPTER WAS UNABLE TO EXIT IT AFTER IMPACT DUE TO TAPE THAT HE PUT AROUND THE SEATBELT RELEASE MECHANISM. THE PLT ASSISTED HIM. EXAM OF THE HELIOCPTER REVEALED NO FLT CONTROL OR ENG FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER CONTROL INPUT AFTER THE LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS.

Full Narrative

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE FLYING AT ABOUT 35 MPH AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 3-5 FT ABOVE THE WATER & 50 FT ABEAM A BOAT WHICH WAS BEING FILMED BY PHOTOGRAPHERS IN THE ACFT, THE ACFT YAWED TO THE RT, PITCHED DOWN & LEFT. HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THIS BEFORE IMPACT. THE FLOATS WERE NOT DEPLOYED. DEBRIS FROM THE HELICOPTER INJURED A PAX IN THE BOAT. 1 OF THE 3 PAX IN THE HELICOPTER WAS UNABLE TO EXIT IT AFTER IMPACT DUE TO TAPE THAT HE PUT AROUND THE SEATBELT RELEASE MECHANISM. THE PLT ASSISTED HIM. EXAM OF THE HELIOCPTER REVEALED NO FLT CONTROL OR ENG FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN2164Z
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · C20B · Turboshaft · 317
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 minor injuries), 1 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor3
Uninjured1
Total5
Crew 1Age 35 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 30000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data