Bell BH-206B accident near Dillingham, AK
On August 21, 1997, a Bell BH-206B (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Dillingham, AK. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 21, 1997
- Place
- Dillingham, AK
- Aircraft
- Bell BH-206B · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 3 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 58.821°N, 157.860°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X08524
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 20, 1997, at 2010 Alaska daylight time, a Bell BH-206B helicopter, N18FH, was destroyed when it impacted steep terrain about 2,000 feet msl on Kemuk Mountain, 42 nautical miles north of Dillingham, Alaska, at position 59-41.5 degrees north latitude, 158-00.0 degrees west longitude. The commercial certificated pilot sustained fatal injuries. The three passengers sustained serious injuries. The U. S. Government flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 135 to transport three Federal Aviation Administration technicians installing a radio relay site on the top of Kemuk Mountain. The flight departed the mountaintop site for Dillingham at 2000. The helicopter and work crew arrived at the relay site about 1600. As they were landing, the crew leader informed the pilot that they had chosen a walk-off route to lower terrain in case the weather deteriorated. After landing, he discussed this option with the pilot, suggesting that the pilot relocate to a lower area, and the crew would walk down if necessary. The pilot said he would stay at the site. The mountaintop takeoff and landing site included a fiberglass hut for communications equipment, an antenna, a wind sock, and a large, portable survival shelter. The shelter was equipped with a stove and heater. The crew had placed their survival gear, sleeping bags, and food, in the hut. During the period between landing and departure, the pilot stayed in the shelter. The passengers told the NTSB investigator that they boarded the helicopter in preparation for the flight to Dillingham about 2000. They said they all
Probable cause
The pilot's intentional VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Factors associated with the accident are the pilot's failure to activate the cabin heating system, the lack of an operable windshield defogger, the pilot's overconfidence in his ability, pressure induced by the passengers to initiate the flight, and pressure induced by the FAA upon their employees.
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Browse: Alaska · Bell aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
