Bell 206B III accident near Elf Point Camp, Alaska, November 10, 1992
On November 10, 1992 at about 3:00 pm local time, a Bell 206B III (helicopter), registered N21424, was substantially damaged in an accident near Elf Point Camp, Alaska. It was an other work-use flight under external-load helicopter rules (Part 133). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT MISJUDGED CLEARANCE AND DRAGGED AN EXTERNAL LOAD LONGLINE CABLE WHILE LANDING.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 10, 1992 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Elf Point Camp, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B III · all 206B IIIs on the register
- Registration
- N21424 · no longer on the register · serial 3466
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE HELICOPTER WHICH WAS DRAGGING A LONGLINE CABLE, SNAGGED A STUMP WITH THE CABLE DURING AN APPROACH TO A LANDING SITE. THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH GROUND DAMAGING LANDING SKID MOUNTING STRUCTURE AND STRIKING THE TAIL ROTOR. THE COMPANY DID NOT NOTIFY THE FAA OR NTSB BEFORE TRANSPORTING THE HELICOPTER BY VESSEL FOR REPAIR. THE COMPANY MGMT TOLD NTSB THAT 'THEY DETERMINED IT WAS NOT REPORTABLE BECAUSE OF LIMITED DAMAGE.' MANUACTURER'S REPS AND FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS CONFIRMED SUBSANTIAL DAMAGE. COMPANY MGMT TOLD NTSB THAT IT WAS SIMPLY A CASE OF DRAGGING A LONGLINE WHILE LANDING, (SOMETHING THAT) OCCURS IN THE LOGGING BUSINESS.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,600 hours in all; 215 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 22 in the last 30 days; 2,900 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,673 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, October 31, 1992; 23 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,350 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Rmh Aerologging, INC
The flight
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 20 knots, gusting 35
- Temperature: 32°F (0°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N21424 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.