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NTSB Report
May 20, 1985 · Bell 206L · N403DC
Duluth, GA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 20, 1985
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Duluth, GA
Aircraft
Bell 206L
Tail Number
N403DC
Operator
Ems
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL85FA170
AFTER LOADING A SERIOUSLY BURNED PATIENT IN THE HELICOPTER, THE PLT STARTED THE ENG & LIFTED OFF FROM THE HOSPITAL PARKING LOT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT-OFF, HE STARTED FORWARD TRANSLATIONAL FLT. ABOUT 65 FT FROM THE LIFT-OFF POINT, AN ADVANCING MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRUCK AN UNMARKED LAMP POST. THE HELICOPTER THEN CRASHED IN THE PARKING LOT, JUST BEYOND THE LAMP POST. THE PLT & ONE MEDICAL ATTENDANT WERE FATALLY INJURED, THE OTHER MEDICAL ATTENDANT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. REPORTEDLY, THE PATIENT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY ADDITIONAL DISCERNIBLE INJURY FROM THE CRASH.
Full Narrative
AFTER LOADING A SERIOUSLY BURNED PATIENT IN THE HELICOPTER, THE PLT STARTED THE ENG & LIFTED OFF FROM THE HOSPITAL PARKING LOT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT-OFF, HE STARTED FORWARD TRANSLATIONAL FLT. ABOUT 65 FT FROM THE LIFT-OFF POINT, AN ADVANCING MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRUCK AN UNMARKED LAMP POST. THE HELICOPTER THEN CRASHED IN THE PARKING LOT, JUST BEYOND THE LAMP POST. THE PLT & ONE MEDICAL ATTENDANT WERE FATALLY INJURED, THE OTHER MEDICAL ATTENDANT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. REPORTEDLY, THE PATIENT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY ADDITIONAL DISCERNIBLE INJURY FROM THE CRASH.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:30 EDT
Nearest Airport8nm W
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206L
Tail NumberN403DC
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorEms
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal2
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 7 kt
Visibility11 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 15000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:48
Weather SourceWFAC