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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

November 25, 1986 · Bell 206B · N59610

Cincinnati, OH

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 25, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Cincinnati, OH
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N59610
Operator
Fedeal Helicopter Express
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL87MA028

THE OWNER/OPERATOR (OPER) OF A FLYING SERVICE PROVIDED ACFT FOR BROADCASTING STATIONS IN THE AREA. A RADIO STATION HAD CONTRACTED WITH THE OPER TO PROVIDE A HELICOPTER (HELO, N59610) & A PLT TO TAKE A NEWS RPRTR ON A LOCAL TRAFFIC WATCH. THE OPER RPRTD THAT ON THE MORNING OF THE ACDNT, THE CEILING WAS RAGGED & HE SUGGESTED TO THE NEWS RPRTR THAT THE TAKE- OFF BE DELAYED UNTIL DAYLIGHT. THE RPRTR REJECTED THE SUGGESTION, SINCE AN ACFT FOR A COMPETING BROADCASTING STATION WAS ALREADY AIRBORNE. THE OPER HAD A POLICY OF NOT FLYING A HELO WHEN THE CEILING OR VIS WAS LESS THAN 300' OR 1/2 MI, BUT THE DECISION FOR FLT WAS LEFT TO THE PLT. BFR SUNRISE, N59610 WAS CLRD AS LEADER OF A FLT OF 2 FOR A SVFR DEPARTURE IN FOGGY CONDS. THE PLT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. AFTER DEPARTING, N59610 ENTERED DENSE FOG & SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED ON WOODED, RISING TERRAIN ABOUT 1 MI SOUTH OF THE DEPARTURE POINT. AT CINCINNATI, THE 0555 WX WAS, IN PART: 600' OVERCAST, 1-1/2 MI VIS WITH FOG; AT 0655 THE CEILING & VIS WERE 200' OVERCAST & 1/2 MI WITH FOG.

Full Narrative

THE OWNER/OPERATOR (OPER) OF A FLYING SERVICE PROVIDED ACFT FOR BROADCASTING STATIONS IN THE AREA. A RADIO STATION HAD CONTRACTED WITH THE OPER TO PROVIDE A HELICOPTER (HELO, N59610) & A PLT TO TAKE A NEWS RPRTR ON A LOCAL TRAFFIC WATCH. THE OPER RPRTD THAT ON THE MORNING OF THE ACDNT, THE CEILING WAS RAGGED & HE SUGGESTED TO THE NEWS RPRTR THAT THE TAKE- OFF BE DELAYED UNTIL DAYLIGHT. THE RPRTR REJECTED THE SUGGESTION, SINCE AN ACFT FOR A COMPETING BROADCASTING STATION WAS ALREADY AIRBORNE. THE OPER HAD A POLICY OF NOT FLYING A HELO WHEN THE CEILING OR VIS WAS LESS THAN 300' OR 1/2 MI, BUT THE DECISION FOR FLT WAS LEFT TO THE PLT. BFR SUNRISE, N59610 WAS CLRD AS LEADER OF A FLT OF 2 FOR A SVFR DEPARTURE IN FOGGY CONDS. THE PLT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. AFTER DEPARTING, N59610 ENTERED DENSE FOG & SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED ON WOODED, RISING TERRAIN ABOUT 1 MI SOUTH OF THE DEPARTURE POINT. AT CINCINNATI, THE 0555 WX WAS, IN PART: 600' OVERCAST, 1-1/2 MI VIS WITH FOG; AT 0655 THE CEILING & VIS WERE 200' OVERCAST & 1/2 MI WITH FOG.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:43 EST
Nearest AirportLunken Field (2nm S)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN59610
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorFedeal Helicopter Express
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind10° @ 5 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time11:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data