ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 42686
Last updated: 22 May 2013
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| Date: | 23-JAN-1997 |
| Time: | 0751 |
| Type: |  Bell 206B-3 JetRanger III |
| Operator: | Air Center Helicopters |
| Registration: | N2047R |
| C/n / msn: | 3360 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Airplane damage: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | Fort Lauderdale, FL -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | FL |
Witnesses observed the helicopter flying from north to south and collide with a 253-foot agl radio tower at about the 235-foot level. The main rotor blades partially separated and the helicopter descended uncontrolled to ground impact. The radio tower was depicted on aviation charts and was marked by an operational strobe light. The pilot had many years of operational experience in the area. Postmortem examination of the pilot showed he suffered from moderate chronic pulmonary emphysema and that he had a carbon monoxide level in the blood of about 26%. The pilot was reported to smoke about 1 pack of cigarettes daily. The 3 passengers did not have carbon monoxide in their blood. The source of the carbon monoxide level in the pilot could not be determined. CAUSE: The pilot's incapacitation by carbon monoxide from undetermined sources which led to his diminished ability to see and avoid a radio tower.
Sources:
NTSB: http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20001208X07324
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Oct-2008 10:30 | ASN archive | Added |
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