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NTSB Report
January 25, 1984 · Bell 206L-1 · N3904N
Cedar Hill, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 25, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Cedar Hill, TX
Aircraft
Bell 206L-1
Tail Number
N3904N
Operator
Clarence J Lott
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW84LA119
PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO CHECK FOR OIL LEAKS AFTER MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT AN ALT OF 50 TO 100 FT AGL, THE PLT NOTICED A '2 PER REV VIBRATION' AND DECIDED TO LAND IN A FIELD. WHEN APRX 5 FT AGL THE PLT FELT WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS A CG SHIFT AND THE RIGHT SKID CONTACTED THE GROUND. COLLECTIVE WAS THEN LOWERED, HOWEVER, CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER WAS LOST AND A POLL OVER RESULTED. THE PLT STATED THE VIBRATION WAS NOT SEVERE ENOUGH TO HAVE RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT BESIDE THE 2 FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS A 226 LB PASSENGER WAS IN THE RIGHT CENTER (REAR FACING) SEAT. THE PASSENGER STATED HE COULD NOT SEE MUCH FROM THE CENTER SEAT AND JUST PRIOR TO THE SKID CONTACT, HE MOVED TO THE RIGHT REAR (FORWARD FACING) SEAT. THIS WOULD ACCOUNT FOR THE REARWARD CG SHIFT.
Full Narrative
PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO CHECK FOR OIL LEAKS AFTER MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT AN ALT OF 50 TO 100 FT AGL, THE PLT NOTICED A '2 PER REV VIBRATION' AND DECIDED TO LAND IN A FIELD. WHEN APRX 5 FT AGL THE PLT FELT WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS A CG SHIFT AND THE RIGHT SKID CONTACTED THE GROUND. COLLECTIVE WAS THEN LOWERED, HOWEVER, CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER WAS LOST AND A POLL OVER RESULTED. THE PLT STATED THE VIBRATION WAS NOT SEVERE ENOUGH TO HAVE RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT BESIDE THE 2 FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS A 226 LB PASSENGER WAS IN THE RIGHT CENTER (REAR FACING) SEAT. THE PASSENGER STATED HE COULD NOT SEE MUCH FROM THE CENTER SEAT AND JUST PRIOR TO THE SKID CONTACT, HE MOVED TO THE RIGHT REAR (FORWARD FACING) SEAT. THIS WOULD ACCOUNT FOR THE REARWARD CG SHIFT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time03:30 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206L-1
Tail NumberN3904N
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorClarence J Lott
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C28B · Turboshaft · 435
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 36 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind2 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time04:00
Weather SourcePILO