# NTSB DEN82DA046: Bell 206B, N2169X, Marble, CO, March 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1982, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Marble, CO
- Location: 39.0717° N, 107.1907° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Marble, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0717&lon=-107.1907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71573
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71573/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA046

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO TRANSPORT SKI GUIDES TO THE TOP OF A 13,000 FT MOUNTAIN RIDGE. AFTER CLIMBING IN MODERATE TO HIGH WINDS, THE PILOT APPROACHED THE INTENDED LANDING AREA FROM THE LEE SIDE AT AN ANGLE OF ABOUT 45 DEGREES TO THE RIDGELINE. HE REPORTED THAT DURING A NORMAL APPROACH, A SEVERE DOWNDRAFT WAS ENCOUNTERED ABOUT 50 FT SHORT OF THE INTENDED LANDING SPOT. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN A DESCENT WHICH EXCEEDED ITS CAPABILITY TO STOP. THE PILOT INITIATED A PEDAL TURN AWAY FROM THE RIDGELINE. HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO SETTLE. IT CONTACTED THE TERRAIN WHILE HEADING ALMOST DIRECTLY DOWNHILL. THE HELICOPTER SLID APPROXIMATELY 50 TO 75 FT DOWN A 10 TO 15 DEGREE SLOPE UNTIL THE RIGHT SKID CONTACTED ROCKS BELOW THE SNOW AND SLOWED THE HELICOPTER TO A STOP. THE HELICOPTER WAS INSPECTED FOR OBVIOUS DAMAGE. THE PASSENGERS WERE OFF-LOADED AND THE HELICOPTER WAS FLOWN BACK TO MARBLE, CO WHERE MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL DISCOVERED DAMAGE TO THE BOX BEAM DOUBLER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2169X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3502
- Airframe hours: 32
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Luebell Helicopters, Inc
- Registered owner: James Bozich
- Departed: MARBLE, CO
- Destination: GALENA MOUNTAIN, CO
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,522 total, 306 in this make and model, 5,167 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 108 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ASE, 16 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 19820316006699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820316006699A), Mar 16, 1982: Bell 206B3, Marble, CO, Substantial damage. Helicopter crashed while trying to land on top of a 13000 foot ridge line. Pilot said he encountered downdraft.

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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