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NTSB Report
July 24, 1984 · Bell 206B · N16981
Dallas, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 24, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Dallas, TX
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N16981
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW84FA321
WITNESSES OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER CIRCLING A 523 FT, FREE STANDING, COMMUNICATIONS TOWER. AFTER CIRCLING SEVERAL TIMES, HELICOPTER PASSED CLOSE TO THE TOWER & A MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRUCK IT AT THE 451 FT LEVEL. THE OUTBOARD PORTION OF THE ROTOR BLADE SEPARATED AS WELL AS SOME PORTIONS OF THE TOWER, INCLUDING A X-BRACE. THE HELICOPTER THEN SPUN & TUMBLED TO THE GROUND. IT IMPACTED IN A NOSE-LOW, INVERTED ATTITUDE & BURNED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.
Full Narrative
WITNESSES OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER CIRCLING A 523 FT, FREE STANDING, COMMUNICATIONS TOWER. AFTER CIRCLING SEVERAL TIMES, HELICOPTER PASSED CLOSE TO THE TOWER & A MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRUCK IT AT THE 451 FT LEVEL. THE OUTBOARD PORTION OF THE ROTOR BLADE SEPARATED AS WELL AS SOME PORTIONS OF THE TOWER, INCLUDING A X-BRACE. THE HELICOPTER THEN SPUN & TUMBLED TO THE GROUND. IT IMPACTED IN A NOSE-LOW, INVERTED ATTITUDE & BURNED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:50 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN16981
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsDetr. Diesel · 250-C-20B · Turboshaft · 317
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 46 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 5 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 12000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC