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NTSB Report
March 17, 1987 · Bell 206B-3 · N9AR
Valdez, AK
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 17, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Valdez, AK
Aircraft
Bell 206B-3
Tail Number
N9AR
Operator
Alyeska Pipeline
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC87FA051
THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TRANSMISSION LINES WHILE ON PIPELINE PATROL, FATALLY INJURING THE PILOT AND SERIOUSLY INJURING THE OBSERVER. THE OBSERVER STATED THAT HE AND THE PILOT HAD BEEN FLYING TOWARDS A BURNING OBJECT ON THE SNOW NEAR TWO SNOW MACHINES WHEN THEY STRUCK THE WIRE. THE BURNING OBJECT WAS LATER DISCOVERED TO BE A HAZARD WARNING BALL WHICH HAD APPARENTLY IGNITED ON THE TRANSMISSION LINE AND FALLEN TO THE GROUND.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TRANSMISSION LINES WHILE ON PIPELINE PATROL, FATALLY INJURING THE PILOT AND SERIOUSLY INJURING THE OBSERVER. THE OBSERVER STATED THAT HE AND THE PILOT HAD BEEN FLYING TOWARDS A BURNING OBJECT ON THE SNOW NEAR TWO SNOW MACHINES WHEN THEY STRUCK THE WIRE. THE BURNING OBJECT WAS LATER DISCOVERED TO BE A HAZARD WARNING BALL WHICH HAD APPARENTLY IGNITED ON THE TRANSMISSION LINE AND FALLEN TO THE GROUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time03:36 AKST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B-3
Tail NumberN9AR
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAlyeska Pipeline
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20J · Turboshaft · 317
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility200 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point21 C / 10 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT