# NTSB DEN81DTE33: Bell 206B, N16873, Rangley, CO, May 1, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 1, 1981
- Place: Rangley, CO · RANGLEY, CO
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 125230
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN81DTE33
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81DTE33

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2451   81/5/1    RANGLEY,CO          BELL 206B           CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 32, 2647
        TIME - 1435                    N16873              PX-  0  0  1  POWER/PIPELINE            TOTAL HOURS, 1494 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BRADY RANCH                 DINOSAUR,CO
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N16873 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19810501022089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810501022089A), May 1, 1981: Bell 206B, Rangely, CO, Substantial damage. Struck unseen antenna wire on takeoff from pipeline valve. Wire not authorized or marked.

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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