# NTSB DEN82DA037: Bell 206B III, N580P, Alma, CO, March 1, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1982, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Alma, CO
- Location: 39.2861° N, 106.0690° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Alma, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2861&lon=-106.0690&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 1, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69747
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69747/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA037

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - bleed air system,valve - dirty(foggy) (cause)
  - bleed air system,valve - loose (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - power on landing - attempted, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE FLIGHT HAD BEEN UNEVENTFUL AND ALL INSTRUMENTS WERE READING NORMAL EXCEPT THE TOT GAUGE. REPORTEDLY, IT WAS INDICATING 750 DEGREES, WHICH WAS ABOUT 100 DEGREES HIGHER THAN NORMAL FOR HIS POWER SETTING OF 70% TORQUE. HE STATED HE WAS FLYING AT 70 KNOTS WHEN THE HELICOPTER STARTED LOOSING RPM. THE PASSENGER STATED THAT THEY WERE ABOUT 200 TO 300 FT ABOVE A RIDGE AS THEY WERE FLYING SOUTHWEST. THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT AFTER THEY CROSSED THE RIDGE, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE FAST. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THEY WERE COMING UP ON A RIDGE LINE, WHEN THE RPM BEGAN DROPPING; HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO DECELERATE ENOUGH TO LAND ON TOP OF THE RIDGE. THE HELICOPTER CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE GROUND ON THE SOUTH-SOUTHWEST SIDE OF THE RIDGE LINE AND CRASHED. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE AIR BLEED VALVE WAS DIRTY AND HAD A HOLE IN THE DIAPHRAGM. IN THIS CONDITION, THE VALVE WOULD CLOSE LATE. THE ELEVATION WAS ABOUT 12,000 FT MSL, WIND GUSTING 30 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N580P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N580P-2013-02-01), registration cancelled 2013-02-01, S/N 2694, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B III
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2694
- Airframe hours: 1789
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Public Service Co. Of Co.
- Registered owner: Public Service Co. Of Co.
- Departed: DENVER, CO
- Destination: LEADVILLE, CO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,389 total, 296 in this make and model, 4,889 as pilot in command, 138 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820301001259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820301001259A), Mar 1, 1982: Bell 206B, Alma, CO, Substantial damage. Helicopter crashed during emergency landing in mountainous terrain. Bleed valve dirty and had hole in diaphram.

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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