Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary FTW84LA150

AMARILLO, TX, USA

Aircraft #1

N31213

BELL UH-1B

Analysis

PLT WAS ADVISED BY FSS THAT AMARILLO HAD SNOW FLURRIES, VISIBILITY 4 MILES AND WIND FROM 350 DEGS AT 28 KTS GUSTING TO 34 KTS, TUCUMCARI, NM WAS REPORTING 2 MILES VISIBILITY WITH LIGHT SNOW AND AREAS FURTHER WEST WERE CLEARING. THE PLT DEPARTED AMARILLO UNDER A SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE AND STATED THE WX WAS ALRIGHT UNTIL WEST OF AMARILLO WHERE VISIBILITY DETERIORATED TO 1/2 MILE WITH BLOWING SNOW. BECAUSE OF THE DECREASING VISIBILITY AND INCREASING WINDS THE PLT DECIDED TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD. PLT STATED THE ENGINE INTAKE SCREENS ICED UP AND A LOSS OF RPM WAS EXPERIENCED WHILE MANEUVERING THE HELICOPTER INTO THE WIND FOR LANDING. THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE GROUND AND ROLLED OVER TO THE RIGHT.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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