# NTSB DEN86FA054: Bell 206-L3, N10UB, Monument Valley, UT, December 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 24, 1985, 23:30 local (Dec 25, 1985, 06:30 UTC)
- Place: Monument Valley, UT
- Coordinates: 37.079204, -110.250846 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0792&lon=-110.2508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16799
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16799/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA054

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, climb
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED POWER LINES AND THE TERRAIN DURING AN ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF FROM A HOSPITAL AFTER A CANCELLED MED-EVAC FLT. THE HOSPITAL IS LOCATED IN A BOX CANYON SURROUNDED BY HIGH TERRAIN AND POWER LINES. THE PLT WAS AWARE OF THE POWER LINE THAT CROSSED THE PROPOSED FLT PATH. A PASSEN GER STATED, AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THAT THE PLT HOVERED BACK TO THE END OF THE LANDING AREA TO INITIATE THE TAKEOFF. THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE UNMARKED POWER LINES DURING CLIMBOUT AND DESCENDED TO GROUND IMPACT. A WITNESSES DESCRIBED THE WXAS COLD AND CLEAR WITH CALM GROUND WINDS NEAR THE HOSPITAL. THEY ALSO STATED THE NIGHT WAS BRIGHT BECAUSE OF A FULL MOON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N10UB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206-L3
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 51077
- Airframe hours: 356
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Air Method, doing business as [Ems]
- Registered owner: Jerry Angerson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 14, 1985, 56 hours before
- Destination: GJC, GRAND JUNCTION, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,489 total, 3,151 in this make and model, 5,174 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 32 °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 19851224064199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851224064199A), Dec 24, 1985: Bell 206L3, Monument Valley, UT, Destroyed. During takeoff, struck unmarked powerlines, fell to the ground. Although surface wind calm, hit windshear on climb.

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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