# NTSB DEN85LA053: Bell 206-L3, N3898Y, Jackson, WY, December 31, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 31, 1984, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Jackson, WY
- Coordinates: 43.470485, -110.759941 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4705&lon=-110.7599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16618
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16618/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA053

## 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
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command
  - climb - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - run on landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT HAD LANDED ON PREPARED AREA (SNOW PACKED DOWN BY HELI SKI GUIDE) TO EMBARK SKI PASSENGERS. ON DEPARTURE PLT LIFTED TO HOVER, TURNED TO DESIRED HDG AND INITIATED FORWARD TRANSITION. AS ACFT PASSED BOUNDRY OF PACKED SNOW, ROTOR WASH PICKED UP SOFT LOOSE SNOW, OBSCURING VISUAL REFERENCES. ACFT HAD NOT ACHIEVED TRANSLATIONAL LIFT AND ENGINE WAS AT MAX TORQUE OUTPUT, NEGATING CLIMB. PLT ATTEMPTED TO 'SET ACFT DOWN' BUT RUN-ON LANDING RESULTED. DUE TO EXCESS FORWARD SPEED AND SOFT SNOW, ACFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3898Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3898Y-2002-08-28), registration cancelled 2002-08-28, S/N 51024, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206-L3
- 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: 51024
- Airframe hours: 725
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C30P 317 lbs thrust turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Queen City Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Briles Wing & Helicopter Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 19, 1984

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,670 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 2,385 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 23 °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 19841231069249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841231069249A), Dec 31, 1984: Bag B206*, Jackson, WY, Substantial damage. During running takeoff, kicked up snow causing whiteout. Aborted, itched on to nose, and rolled onto right side.

## Other investigations on N3898Y (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 LAX83LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA117), Feb 24, 1983: Bell BH 206-L111 (N3898Y), Peach Springs, AZ, 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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