# NTSB CEN13TA535: Bell 206L-3, N721LL, Amistad, NM, September 7, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: September 7, 2013, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Amistad, NM
- Coordinates: 35.918056, -103.153053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9181&lon=-103.1531&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 5, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA -- Albuquerque Flight Standards
- NTSB case key (mKey): 88002
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13TA535
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88002/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88002
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13TA535

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to arrest the descent following an abrupt maneuver to avoid birds, which resulted in an impact with terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the helicopter was established in cruise flight on a west-southwest course at 300 feet above ground level before the accident. The pilot stated that about 25 minutes into the flight, he observed "multiple large black birds" in the helicopter's flightpath and initiated an "immediate hard turn to the right to avoid" them. He subsequently noted an increase in main rotor speed and adjusted accordingly. The pilot rolled out on a reciprocal heading, leveled the helicopter, and began to slow down. He noticed that the descent rate was not decreasing. The helicopter touched down "hard," seemed to bounce and came to rest about 100 yards from the initial touchdown point. The pilot reported no preaccident failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

On September 7, 2013, about 1530 mountain daylight time, a Bell Helicopter 206L-3, N721LL, impacted terrain after the pilot maneuvered to avoid birds during cruise flight near Amistad, New Mexico. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter was registered to and operated by the State of Illinois under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a public use flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated from the Dalhart Municipal Airport (DHT), Dalhart, Texas, about 1500. The intended destination was the Albuquerque International Airport (ABQ), Albuquerque, New Mexico.The pilot reported that the helicopter was established in cruise flight on a west-southwest course at 300 feet above ground level prior to the accident. The pilot and passenger were reportedly referencing a radiological monitoring system for proper operation during that timeframe. The pilot stated that about 25 minutes into the flight he observed "multiple large black birds" in the helicopter's flight path and initiated an "immediate hard turn to the right" to avoid them. He subsequently noted an increase in main rotor speed and adjusted accordingly. The pilot rolled out on a reciprocal heading, leveled the helicopter, and began to slow down. He noticed that the descent rate was not decreasing even though appropriate control inputs had been made. The helicopter touched down "hard" and seemed to bounce. The helicopter came to rest about 100 yards from the initial touchdown point. The pilot reported that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the helicopter prior to the accident. The wind recorded at the departure airport, at 1453, was from 170 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 21 knots. At 1553, the wind was from 170 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The pilot reported a clear sky, with an unrestricted visibility of 20 miles and no turbulence.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N721LL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N721LL-2018-03-06), registration cancelled 2018-03-06, S/N 51164, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-3
- Registry model: [Bell 206L-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l-3) (registry code 1182108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C30 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c30-series) (registry code 03015, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 51164
- Airframe hours: 12533
- Engines: Allison 250-C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft - state, Public use
- Operator: State Of Illinois
- Registered owner: State Of Illinois
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 29, 2013, 33 hours before
- Departed: DHT, Dalhart, TX
- Destination: ABQ, Albuquerque, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 27, 2013; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 12,300 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 154 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: DHT, 30 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20130907016229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130907016229A), Sep 7, 2013: Bell 206L-3, Amistad, NM, Destroyed. On September 7, 2013 @ 1600 MDT a Bell 206B L-3, registered to state of Illinois department of transportation hit the ground northeast of Amistad, new Mexico…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 25, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88002. 766 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 627 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401201&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Passenger Statement (item 2, .PDF, 139 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401200&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-Redacted.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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