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NTSB Report
April 14, 1986 · Cessna 172 · N52118
Holliston, MA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 14, 1986
Injury Outcomes
6 injuries (4 fatalities, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Holliston, MA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N52118
Operator
Charles a Mitchell
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL86MA114
THE BELL 206L AND A CESSNA 172 COLLIDED AT 2,000 FEET OVER HOLLISTON, MA. BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE OPERATING UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULE WITH NO FLIGHT PLAN FILED OR COMMUNICATIONS ESTABLISHED WITH AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE BELL WAS TRAVELING IN A NORTH-NORTHEASTERLY DIRECTION AND THE CESSNA WAS ON A NORTHEASTERLY HEADING. THE CESSNA PILOT STATED HE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF INITIATING A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED AND THAT HE NEVER SAW THE HELICOPTER NOR ANY OTHER TRAFFIC PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE CESSNA HAD DEPARTED HOPEDALE AIRPORT APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. INSPECTION REVEALED ROTOR BLADE SLASH MARKS IN THE CESSNA'S LOWER LEFT ENGINE COWLING. THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED TO TERRAIN IMPACT AFTER THE COLLISION AND THE CESSNA WAS FORCE LANDED IN A FIELD.
Full Narrative
THE BELL 206L AND A CESSNA 172 COLLIDED AT 2,000 FEET OVER HOLLISTON, MA. BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE OPERATING UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULE WITH NO FLIGHT PLAN FILED OR COMMUNICATIONS ESTABLISHED WITH AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE BELL WAS TRAVELING IN A NORTH-NORTHEASTERLY DIRECTION AND THE CESSNA WAS ON A NORTHEASTERLY HEADING. THE CESSNA PILOT STATED HE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF INITIATING A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED AND THAT HE NEVER SAW THE HELICOPTER NOR ANY OTHER TRAFFIC PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE CESSNA HAD DEPARTED HOPEDALE AIRPORT APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. INSPECTION REVEALED ROTOR BLADE SLASH MARKS IN THE CESSNA'S LOWER LEFT ENGINE COWLING. THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED TO TERRAIN IMPACT AFTER THE COLLISION AND THE CESSNA WAS FORCE LANDED IN A FIELD.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:32 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN52118
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCharles a Mitchell
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C30P · Turboshaft · 650 | Lycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary6 injuries (4 fatalities, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total6
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class
Crew 2Age 49 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO