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NTSB Report
February 24, 1982 · Bell 206B · N2272D
Watrous, NM
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 24, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Watrous, NM
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N2272D
Operator
Doolittle Enterprises
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW82FQA15
THE HELICOPTER STRUCK POWER AND COMMUNICATION LINES AFTER TAKING OFF AT NIGHT. AFTER HITTING THE LINES, IT CRASHED INTO A RAILROAD GRADE AND BRIDGE. THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT ONE MILE FROM THE DEPARTURE POINT. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION. IT WAS NOTED THAT THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS FOR THE FUEL BOOST PUMP AND THE MASTER CAUTION SYSTEMS WERE OPEN. A TOXICOLOGICAL CHECK OF THE PILOT'S BLOOD REVEALED 266 MG PERCENT OF ETHYL ALCOHOL.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER STRUCK POWER AND COMMUNICATION LINES AFTER TAKING OFF AT NIGHT. AFTER HITTING THE LINES, IT CRASHED INTO A RAILROAD GRADE AND BRIDGE. THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT ONE MILE FROM THE DEPARTURE POINT. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION. IT WAS NOTED THAT THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS FOR THE FUEL BOOST PUMP AND THE MASTER CAUTION SYSTEMS WERE OPEN. A TOXICOLOGICAL CHECK OF THE PILOT'S BLOOD REVEALED 266 MG PERCENT OF ETHYL ALCOHOL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:35 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN2272D
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDoolittle Enterprises
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind260° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point11 C / 32 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:00