# NTSB DEN85FA027: Bell 206B-11, N1077T, Bingham Canyon, UT, November 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1984, 16:36 local (23:36 UTC)
- Place: Bingham Canyon, UT
- Coordinates: 40.590805, -112.099533 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5908&lon=-112.0995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16513
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16513/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA027

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - dirty(foggy) (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PILOT WAS TAKING PASSEENGERS ON A SIGHTSEENG FLIGHT OVER THE KENNECOTT COPPER MINE, LARGEST OPEN PIT COPPER MINE IN THE WORLD. HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH UNMARKED POWER LINES APPROX 185 FT AGL. POWER LINES ARE SUPPORTED  BY TWO UNMARKED TOWERS ON OPPOSING HILLS 1983 FT APART.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1077T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1077T-2014-09-08), registration cancelled 2014-09-08, S/N 2928, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B-11
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (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: 2928
- Airframe hours: 14187
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert C. Foster
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 23, 1984, 643 hours before
- Departed: SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,398 total, 190 in this make and model, 956 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 330° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SLC, 18 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 19841115062109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841115062109A), Nov 15, 1984: Bell 206B, Bingham Canyon, UT, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Aircraft struck powerlines after low pass over mine pit. Pilot was flying into sun with dirty, crazed windshield.

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.