# NTSB DEN83FA045: Bell 206B III, N55LW, Sula, MT, January 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 6, 1983, 10:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Sula, MT
- Coordinates: 45.869457, -113.749473 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8695&lon=-113.7495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15966
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15966/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FA045

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER CRASHED TAIL LOW AND ROLLED OVER IN AN OPEN FIELD DURING MARGINAL WEATHER. THE PILOT WAS FLYING ON AN EXPIRED STUDENT CERTIFICATE AND EXPIRED MEDICAL. ACCORDING TO A PILOT WHO HAD WORKED WITH HIM THE PILOT HAD NO HELICOPTER RATING. WITNESSES STATED THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AS POOR VISIBILITY AND SNOWING. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL ANY SPECIFIC REASON FOR LOW ROTOR RMP JUST PRIOR TO GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55LW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55LW-2013-04-18), registration cancelled 2013-04-18, S/N 2249, built 1977 (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: 2249
- Airframe hours: 2237
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Intermountain Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1982
- Departed: CORVALLIS, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: right; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots, gusting 15

## 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 19830106000459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830106000459A), Jan 6, 1983: Bell 206B, Sula, MT, Substantial damage. On coyote hunt possible flame out flying in heavy snow. Auto relight inop. Allowed rotor RPM decay prior to impact.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.