# NTSB DEN83LA022: Bell 206B, N5011G, Near Kalispell, MT, November 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 20, 1982, 22:30 local (Nov 21, 1982, 05:30 UTC)
- Place: Near Kalispell, MT
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71876
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71876/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA022

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
- Roll over, maneuvering

## Analysis

ACFT DEPARTED HOSPITAL AT MISSOULA IN GOOD WX TO ASSIST HIGHWAY ACCIDENT VICTIM 5 MI EAST OF CLINTON. VICTIM WAS PLACED ABOARD HELICOPTER ON STRETCHER FOR EMERGENCY FLIGHT TO HOSPITAL. ABOUT 5-6 MI EAST OF MISSOULA PLT NOTICED LIGHT SNOW FALLING & OBSERVED A LARGE STORM CELL BETWEEN HIS POSITION & MISSOULA, & EXECUTED AN IMMEDIATE RIGHT TURN AWAY FROM THE STORM. DURING A SECOND TURN TO ASSESS THE WX SITUATION & AS THE ACFT'S TAIL WAS TO THE CELL, THE ACFT SETTLED WITH POWER FROM ABOUT 400 FT AGL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5011G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5011G-2013-03-19), registration cancelled 2013-03-19, S/N 2579, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2579
- Airframe hours: 1296
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Mountain West Helicopters
- Registered owner: Mountain West Helicopters
- Departed: CLINTON, MT
- Destination: MSO, MISSOULA, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,080 total, 2,580 in this make and model, 4,810 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 82 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19821120059329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821120059329A), Nov 20, 1982: Bell 206B, Kalispell, MT, Substantial damage. Encountered heavy snowshowers,made 360 degree turn to avoid and asess area. Flew into own downwash, crash landed.

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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