# NTSB DEN84LA093: Bell 206L-3, N3893U, Lake City, CO, February 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1984, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Lake City, CO
- Coordinates: 38.069171, -107.300788 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0692&lon=-107.3008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16338
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16338/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA093

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER TOOK OFF IN MARGINAL VMC CONDITIONS AT CLOSE TO CONDITIONS REQUIRING MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE FOR TAKEOFF. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO HOVER AT 90 PERCENT RPM WAITING HE SAID 'FOR A BREEZE'. THE HOVER STIRRED UP SNOW CAUSING A WHITEOUT AND LOSS OF VISUAL CUES. WHEN THE ACFT WAS SETTLING THE PLT APPLIED 100 PERCENT TO CHECK THE DESCENT BUT THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND. AN ARTICLE IN FEB 1984 ISSUE OF FLYING SAFETY HAD SUGGESTIONS FOR THIS TYPE OPERATION WHICH INCLUDES 'APPLY SUFFICIENT TORQUE FOR A POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3893U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3893U), registered now, S/N 51020 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-3
- Registry model: [Bell 206L-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l-3) (registry code 1182108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C30 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c30-series) (registry code 03015, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 51020
- Airframe hours: 1298
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C30P 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: N. Am. Helicopter Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 15, 1983, 46 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,045 total, 2,194 in this make and model, 2,716 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 1 knots, gusting 12
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 12 °F, dew point -0 °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 19840218030739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840218030739A), Feb 18, 1984: Bell 206L3, Lake City, CO, Substantial damage. As helicopter lifted off pilot lost visual reference in white out and tail boom hit hill causing rollover.

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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