# NTSB DEN85LA033: Bell 206B-III, N5018L, Mancos, CO, November 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1984, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Mancos, CO
- Coordinates: 37.339141, -108.289337 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3391&lon=-108.2893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16604
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16604/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA033

## Analysis

THE ACFT SETTLED DURING AN EMER LNDG AFTER THE PLT SAID THE ENGINE FAILED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT RECEIVED MINOR MAINTENANCE ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, CONSISTING OF CHANGING THE PITCH CHAIN LINKS ON THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES. THEPLT MADE A WRITTEN STATEMENT AFTER THE ACCIDENT IN WHICH WAS STATED, 'THE ACFT WAS RUNNING APRX 15 MIN BEFORE TAKEOFF WITH THE ANTI-ICE OPERATING. I PULLED INTO A HOVER APRX 6-7 FT AGL, SLOWLY, TO INSURE THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ATTACHED TOTHE SKIDS. I THEN MOVED SIDEWAYS FROM THE LANDING ZONE TO CLEAR THE AREA OF BLOWING SNOW FROM THE ACFT. I TURNED INTO THE WIND & STARTED TO APPLY POWER TO CLIMB OUT OVER ANOTHER FENCE AT ABOUT 10-15 AGL. AT APRX 10-15 MPH THE ENG OUT LIGHT & HORN SOUNDED & I APPLIED RT TORQUE PEDAL TO CORRECT FOR YAW. WE STARTED TO SETTLE TO THE GROUND & I APPLIED COLLECTIVE TO STOP THE DESCENT & LANDED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF A DITCHING.' THE ROTOR OR RPM DECAYED & THE ACFT ROCKED NOSE TO TAIL & THE MAIN BLADES HIT THE TAIL BOOM. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE ENG RAN NORMALLY AT ALL POWER SETTINGS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5018L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5018L-1988-03-18), registration cancelled 1988-03-18, S/N 2648 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B-III
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2648
- Airframe hours: 3782
- Engines: Detr. Diesel 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1984, 92 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,100 total, 375 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 14 °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 19841126063419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841126063419A), Nov 26, 1984: Bell 206B, Mancos, CO, Substantial damage. Lost power on initial climb prior to transitional lift. Hard landing chopped off tail boom. Engine tested normal.

## Other investigations on N5018L (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX80FVW15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FVW15), Mar 27, 1980: Bell 206B (N5018L), Mesquite, NV, substantial damage

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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