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NTSB Report
September 22, 1985 · Bell 206B · N32TV
Chalkhill, PA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 22, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Chalkhill, PA
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N32TV
Operator
Northwest Helicopter
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC85FA245
THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED ON AN EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATION WITH A 100 FT CABLE ATTACHED. WHEN A 618 LB LOAD WAS READY TO BE MOVED, THE PLT STARTED THE ENG, LIFTED OFF & MOVED THE HELICOPTER TO A HOVER OVER THE LOAD. THE LOADERS HOOKED THE LOAD TO THE CABLE & GAVE THE PLT A SIGNAL TO DEPART, THEN THEY NOTICED THE CABLE WAS DROOPED OVER THE AFT PART OF THE LEFT SKID. THE CREW TRIED TO SIGNAL THE PLT, BUT AS THE HELICOPTER LIFTED THE LOAD, IT BEGAN MOVING IN A REARWARD & LEFT TURNING, PENDULOUS MOTION. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER CRASHED NEARLY INVERTED ONTO WOODED TERRAIN. AFTER THE ACDNT, THE 100 FT CABLE WAS ABOVE THE HELICOPTER IN A TREE & EXTENDED TO WHERE IT WAS WRAPPED AROUND ANOTHER TREE. ALL OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS WERE FOUND OPEN. THE CARGO HOOK HAD A MANUAL & AN ELECTRICAL RELEASE. THE CARGO HOOK WAS TORN FROM THE HELICOPTER.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED ON AN EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATION WITH A 100 FT CABLE ATTACHED. WHEN A 618 LB LOAD WAS READY TO BE MOVED, THE PLT STARTED THE ENG, LIFTED OFF & MOVED THE HELICOPTER TO A HOVER OVER THE LOAD. THE LOADERS HOOKED THE LOAD TO THE CABLE & GAVE THE PLT A SIGNAL TO DEPART, THEN THEY NOTICED THE CABLE WAS DROOPED OVER THE AFT PART OF THE LEFT SKID. THE CREW TRIED TO SIGNAL THE PLT, BUT AS THE HELICOPTER LIFTED THE LOAD, IT BEGAN MOVING IN A REARWARD & LEFT TURNING, PENDULOUS MOTION. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER CRASHED NEARLY INVERTED ONTO WOODED TERRAIN. AFTER THE ACDNT, THE 100 FT CABLE WAS ABOVE THE HELICOPTER IN A TREE & EXTENDED TO WHERE IT WAS WRAPPED AROUND ANOTHER TREE. ALL OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS WERE FOUND OPEN. THE CARGO HOOK HAD A MANUAL & AN ELECTRICAL RELEASE. THE CARGO HOOK WAS TORN FROM THE HELICOPTER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:10 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN32TV
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorNorthwest Helicopter
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT