# NTSB DEN84LA117: Bell 206B, N2228W, Alpine, WY, March 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1984, 11:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place: Alpine, WY
- Coordinates: 43.160659, -111.010894 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1607&lon=-111.0109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16355
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16355/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA117

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Roll over, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED ON TAKEOFF AT AN ALT OF 10 FT AGL A LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE LEFT SKID CONTACTED EITHER THE PAD OR AN OBJECT ON THE PAD AND THE ACFT ROLLED OVER TO THE LEFT. THE PLT STATED THAT WHITE OUT CONDITION OCCURRED DURING THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF AND FORCED LANDING FROM PICKING UP SNOW WITH THE ROTOR WASH. THE ACFT ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM WERE INSPECTED AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND. PRIOR TO TAKE0FF THE ACFT WAS HOOKED UP TO A BATTERY BOX WITH A 25 FT EXTENSION CORD TO OPERATE A BATTERY BLANKET AND TWO ACFT HEATERS. A SECTION OF THE EXTENSION CORD WAS FOUND NEAR THE WRECKAGE AND WAS APRX 85 FT FROM ANOTHER SECTION WHICH WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE BATTERY BOX. EXAMINATION OF THE CORD REVEALED IT WAS TORN IN HALF BY A PULLING ACTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2228W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2228W-2001-04-16), registration cancelled 2001-04-16, S/N 439 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 439
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Evergreen Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 3, 1984, 77 hours before
- Departed: ALPINE, WY
- Destination: IDA, IDAHO FALLS, ID
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,261 total, 1,235 in this make and model, 27 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19840326009059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840326009059A), Mar 26, 1984: Bell 206B, Alpine, WY, Substantial damage. Indicates heater cord not disconnected prior to liftoff. Attached cord drag which broke and whiteout were factors

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.