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NTSB Report
January 26, 1986 · Bell 222UT · N3177G
La Habra, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 26, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 4 uninjured
Location
La Habra, CA
Aircraft
Bell 222UT
Tail Number
N3177G
Operator
Air Transport System
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86LA098
ON JANUARY 26, 1986 A BELL 222UT COLLIDED WITH A 3/8 INCH SUPPORT CABLE. THE PILOT SAW THE LOWER OF TWO OF THE THREE SUPPORT CABLES ABOUT 75 FEET AGL AS HE WAS TRANSITIONING TO FORWARD FLIGHT FROM A VERTICAL MAX PERFORMANCE T/O. THE PILOT APPLIED AFT CYCLIC AND INCREASED COLLECTIVE TO CLEAR THE CABLES. THE PILOT THEN SAW THE THIRD CABLE AS THE ACFT STRUCK IT. THE CABLE BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE TAIL ROTOR AND MOMENTARILY TETHERED THE AIRCRAFT. THE TAILROTOR AND TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX SEPARATED, THUS FREEING THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT INITIATED THE EMERGENCY LANDING BY REDUCING BOTH THROTTLES TO THE ENGINE IDLE STOP TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD WHICH COLLAPSED THE SKIDS AND SEVERED THE TAILBOOM.
Full Narrative
ON JANUARY 26, 1986 A BELL 222UT COLLIDED WITH A 3/8 INCH SUPPORT CABLE. THE PILOT SAW THE LOWER OF TWO OF THE THREE SUPPORT CABLES ABOUT 75 FEET AGL AS HE WAS TRANSITIONING TO FORWARD FLIGHT FROM A VERTICAL MAX PERFORMANCE T/O. THE PILOT APPLIED AFT CYCLIC AND INCREASED COLLECTIVE TO CLEAR THE CABLES. THE PILOT THEN SAW THE THIRD CABLE AS THE ACFT STRUCK IT. THE CABLE BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE TAIL ROTOR AND MOMENTARILY TETHERED THE AIRCRAFT. THE TAILROTOR AND TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX SEPARATED, THUS FREEING THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT INITIATED THE EMERGENCY LANDING BY REDUCING BOTH THROTTLES TO THE ENGINE IDLE STOP TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD WHICH COLLAPSED THE SKIDS AND SEVERED THE TAILBOOM.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:25 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 222UT
Tail NumberN3177G
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAir Transport System
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · LTS101-750C1 · Turboshaft · 684
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 4 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured4
Total6
Crew 1Age 38 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT