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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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June 14, 1986 · Robinson R22 HP · N8400C

Lk Buena Vista, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 14, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Lk Buena Vista, FL
Aircraft
Robinson R22 HP
Tail Number
N8400C
Operator
Americopters
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA86FA181

MOTORISTS OBSD THE HELICOPTER FLYING LOW OVR & ALONG AN INTERSTATE HIWAY. IN THE VICINITY OF A HIWAY REST AREA, THE HELICOPTER MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIWAY, THEN FLEW BACK OVR THE MEDIAN. TWO WITNESSES SAID IT CAME TO A HOVER, THEN STARTED TO CONTINUE ALONG THE ROADWAY. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT HIT A PWR LINE THAT CROSSED OVR THE HIWAY & CRASHED ONTO THE MEDIAN AFTER TRAVELING ANOTHER 426 FT. AFTER IMPACTING THE MEDIAN, THE HELICOPTER TRAVELED ANOTHER 57 FT BEFORE COMING TO REST. THE ACDNT OCCURRED IN THE VICINITY OF WHERE THE PLT'S WIFE & A FRIEND OF THE PASSENGER WERE TRAVELING BY AUTO. THE PLT & HIS WIFE DENIED KNOWING EACH OTHER WERE IN THE VICINITY; ALTHO, BOTH WERE RETURNING FROM THE SAME RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AT THE REST AREA DUE TO BAD WX. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT DRG THE ACDNT, THE ROTOR OF THE HELICOPTER HIT THE PWR LINE ABOUT 28 FT AGL. A WITNESS SAID THAT LIGHT RAIN WAS FALLING WHEN THE ACDNT OCCURRED.

Full Narrative

MOTORISTS OBSD THE HELICOPTER FLYING LOW OVR & ALONG AN INTERSTATE HIWAY. IN THE VICINITY OF A HIWAY REST AREA, THE HELICOPTER MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIWAY, THEN FLEW BACK OVR THE MEDIAN. TWO WITNESSES SAID IT CAME TO A HOVER, THEN STARTED TO CONTINUE ALONG THE ROADWAY. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT HIT A PWR LINE THAT CROSSED OVR THE HIWAY & CRASHED ONTO THE MEDIAN AFTER TRAVELING ANOTHER 426 FT. AFTER IMPACTING THE MEDIAN, THE HELICOPTER TRAVELED ANOTHER 57 FT BEFORE COMING TO REST. THE ACDNT OCCURRED IN THE VICINITY OF WHERE THE PLT'S WIFE & A FRIEND OF THE PASSENGER WERE TRAVELING BY AUTO. THE PLT & HIS WIFE DENIED KNOWING EACH OTHER WERE IN THE VICINITY; ALTHO, BOTH WERE RETURNING FROM THE SAME RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AT THE REST AREA DUE TO BAD WX. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT DRG THE ACDNT, THE ROTOR OF THE HELICOPTER HIT THE PWR LINE ABOUT 28 FT AGL. A WITNESS SAID THAT LIGHT RAIN WAS FALLING WHEN THE ACDNT OCCURRED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:35 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R22 HP
Tail NumberN8400C
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAmericopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 35 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3200 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data