Accident Bell UH-1B N31213, Sunday 26 February 1984

You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.

Date:	Sunday 26 February 1984
Time:	08:45 LT
Type:	Bell UH-1B
Owner/operator:	Helicopter International Inc.
Registration:	N31213
MSN:	62-1915
Total airframe hrs:	8556 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming T-53-L-11D
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Amarillo, TX - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Executive
Departure airport:	Amarillo, TX (KAMA)
Destination airport:	Las Vegas, NV (KLAS)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
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.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation: