# NTSB DEN84LA087: Texas Helicopter 205, N78851, Erie, CO, February 5, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 5, 1984, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Erie, CO
- Coordinates: 40.020786, -105.040184 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0208&lon=-105.0402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16333
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16333/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA087

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - attempted, pilot in command
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - directional control - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE LANDED ON RWY 15 WITH A WIND FROM O90 DEG AT 20 GUSTING 30 KTS. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT BEGAN VEERING TO THE LEFT. THE PLT APPLIED RIGHT RUDDER & RIGHT BRAKE, BUT THE LEFT WHEEL DROPPED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY & WENT INTO MUD. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE ACFT BACK ONTO THE RWY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT A DITCH & THE MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, A TIRE MARK WAS FOUND ON THE RWY THAT WAS MADE WHILE BRAKING WITH THE RIGHT BRAKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78851](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78851), registered now, S/N 105, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Texas Helicopter 205
- Registry model: [Aircraft Manufacturing TEXAS BULLET 205](https://openairdocs.org/model/aircraft-manufacturing-texas-bullet-205) (registry code 0380102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 105
- Airframe hours: 1376
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: C.D. Beitelsheeslshees
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 1984, 6 hours before
- Departed: 1V5, BOULDER, CO
- Airport: 48V, Tri-County, runway 15, 5,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,673 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 3,462 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19840205003229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840205003229A), Feb 5, 1984: Gem TEXBULLET205, Erie, CO, Substantial damage. Crosswind exceeded aircraft capabilities. Aircraft ran off runway collapsing gear.

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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