Bell 206L-1 accident near Ardmore, Oklahoma, December 2, 1983
On December 2, 1983 at about 5:20 am local time, a Bell 206L-1 (helicopter), registered N2005A, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ardmore, Oklahoma. It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 2, 1983 · about 5:20 am local time
- Place
- Ardmore, Oklahoma · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L-1 · all 206L-1s on the register
- Registration
- N2005A · no longer on the register · serial 45673
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT STATED THAT BEFORE HE TOOK OFF FROM OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, HE CALLED THE OKLAHOMA CITY FSS & OBTAINED A WX BRIEFING. THE BRIEFING CALLED FOR LIGHT RAIN SHOWERS, MINIMUM CEILING OF 1800 FT, VISIBILITY OF 3 TO 5 MILES & NO CHANCE OF FOG, EXCEPT IN LOW LYING AREAS. HE AND ANOTHER PLT TOOK OFF IN A FLT OF 2 HELICOPTERS TO TRANSPORT A PATIENT FROM ARDMORE, OK TO OKLAHOMA CITY. AFTER ARRIVING AT ARDMORE, THE MISSION WAS CANCELLED WHEN THE PATIENT DIED. ABOUT 1 HR & 20 MIN AFTER ARRIVING AT ARDMORE, THEY DEPARTED FOR THE RETURN FLT AFTER RECEIVING ARDMORE ATIS. THE OTHER HELICOPTER WAS EQUIPPED WITH A RADAR ALTIMETER & LED THE WAY OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE PLT OF N2005A WAS FOLLOWING ABOUT 3/4 MI BEHIND WHEN THE CEILING & VISIBILITY DETERIORATED TO ABOUT 500 FT & 1 MI. THE PLT SAID THAT HE HAD CLOSED ON THE LEAD HELICOPTER & WAS DESCENDNG & DECELERATING WHEN HIS ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. IMPACT OCCURRED ON BANKED TERRAIN BESIDE A HIGHWAY.
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: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,411 hours in all; 260 in this make and model; 71 in the last 90 days; 3,328 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,402 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection; 4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C28B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: Oklahoma City OK
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 150° at 8 knots
- Sky: overcast at 500 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 41°F (5°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:03 pm from OKC, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.
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.