# NTSB DEN83LA200: Bell 206L-1, N3900B, Tucker, UT, August 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1983, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Tucker, UT
- Coordinates: 39.570819, -110.799255 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5708&lon=-110.7993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16146
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16146/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA200

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - maintenance - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
- Roll over, other

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED ON A SEISMIC DATA ACQUISTION OPERATION. WHILE LANDING BY A ROAD IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF APRX 8400 FT, THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED TO APPROACH TO A HOVER OVER THE ROADWAY. A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF DUST WAS BLOWN FROM THE ROTOR DOWNWASH CAUSING PERSONNEL ON THE GROUND TO COVER THEIR EYES & LOOK AWAY. THE HELICOPTER WAS NEXT OBSERVED TO PULL UP & AWAY FROM THE GROUND PERSONNEL, THEN MOVE UP THE HILL (BESIDE THE ROAD) & TURN RIGHT TO FACE THE HILLSIDE. GROUND PERSONNEL REPORTED THAT IT THEN MADE AN UNUSUAL NOISE, SPUN AROUND, BEGAN TO WHIP BACK & FORTH, THEN DESCENDED INTO TREES IN AN UNCONTROLLED MANNER. AFTER IMPACT, IT ROLLED DOWN THE HILLSIDE & CAMETO REST AT THE ROAD. THE PLT WAS INJURED & COULD NOT REMEMBER THE OCCURRENCE. GROUND PERSONNEL THOUGHT THE ENG LOST POWER, BUT NO PREIMPACT FAILURE WAS FOUND. SEVERAL CIRCUIT BREAKERS WERE 'OUT' BUT 2 OF THEM (BOOST PUMP) WOULD NORMALLYHAVE BEEN PULLED AFTER LANDING. WIND FROM SOUTH, 10 KTS. WITNESS SAID, GUST BLEW DUST BACK TOWARD ACFT, WHILE HOVERING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3900B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3900B-2012-08-13), registration cancelled 2012-08-13, S/N 45609, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (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: 45609
- Airframe hours: 802
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Services Intnl
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 25, 1983

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,322 total, 221 in this make and model, 4,291 as pilot in command, 232 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PVU, 32 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 19830826044339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830826044339A), Aug 26, 1983: Bell 206L1, Tucker, UT, Substantial damage. Blinded by dust and sun on landing hover pilot pulled up to reposition. Drifted into trees during hovering turn.

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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