# NTSB DEN83FA217: Bell 206L-1, N3900Q, Price, UT, September 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1983, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Price, UT
- Coordinates: 39.569801, -110.799873 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5698&lon=-110.7999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16002
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16002/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FA217

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
  - load jettison - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - not possible
- Roll over, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH AN 800 LB SLING LOAD & USED 100% TORQUE TO EXPEDITE CLEARING POWER LINES. WHEN CLEAR OF THE LINES, HE STARTED A CLIMBING TURN & REDUCED THE TORQUE TO ABOUT 80%. AT APRX 300 FT AGL & 50 TO 60 KTS, THE ENG BEGAN SURGING WHICH CAUSED THE HELICOPTER TO YAW REPEATEDLY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ENG LOST POWER & THE PLT RELEASED HIS LOAD & MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A WOODED AREA. HE USED THE COLLECTIVE TO EXTEND HIS FLT TO AN OPEN AREA. HE REACHED THE INTENDED TOUCHDOWN SPOT, BUT 'RAN OUT OF PITCH & MADE A HARD LANDING.' THE HELICOPTER ROLLED TO THE RIGHT & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND. AN EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER & ENG REVEALED NO REASON FOR THE LOSS OF POWER. THE DENSITY ALT OF THE CRASH SITE WAS COMPUTED TO BE 11,093 FT. THE HELICOPTER HAD AN ALLISON 250-C30P ENG WHICH HAD RECENTLY BEEN INSTALLED PER STC SH296NM. THE FLT MANUAL WARNED THAT WITH THIS ENG INSTALLED, BOTH FUEL BOOST PUMPS SHALL BE ON DURING ENG OPERATION. THE ENG OPERATED NORMALLY DURING A FUNCTIONAL CHECK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3900Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45614
- Airframe hours: 1059
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Air Services Int'L
- Registered owner: Air Services International
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 17, 1983, 48 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,733 total, 535 in this make and model, 3,563 as pilot in command, 270 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 15 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

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.