# NTSB DEN83LA177: Bell 206B, N2261L, Melrose, MT, July 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1983, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Melrose, MT
- Coordinates: 45.679683, -112.680686 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6797&lon=-112.6807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16127
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16127/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA177

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER TAIL ROTOR CONTACTED A FOREST SERVICE SIGN POST DURING LANDING. THE PILOT WAS AWARE OF THE POST WHEN LANDING BUT LANDED NEAR IT FOR CONVENIENCE IN REFUELING. THE LANDING WAS ON A SLOPE AND THE NOSE OF THE ACFT STARTED SLIDING ON THE SLOPE. THE PILOT RAISED THE ACFT BUT THE NOSE CONTINUED TO YAW WHICH CAUSED THE TAIL ROTOR TO HIT THE POST. THE HELICOPTER THEN YAWED AND ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2261L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3600
- Airframe hours: 1356
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20J 420 lbs thrust turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Continental Helicopters Inc.
- Registered owner: Textron Financial Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 10, 1983, 56 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,910 total, 600 in this make and model, 5,454 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F
- 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 19830722036519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830722036519A), Jul 22, 1983: Bell 206B, Melrose, MT, Substantial damage. Tail rotor struck a road sign while trying to land on a slope. Helicopter then rolled over.

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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