# NTSB DEN86FA069: Bell 206L-1, N5019K, Missoula, MT, January 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1986, 13:52 local (20:52 UTC)
- Place: Missoula, MT
- Coordinates: 46.849674, -113.989746 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8497&lon=-113.9897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1987
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16803
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16803/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA069

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - object - airport facility (cause)
  - airport/facilities - inadequate (cause)
  - facility,inadequate manuals/directives, company/operator management (cause)
  - pressure, company/operator management (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER, EQUIPPED WITH LANDING SKID SNOW PADS, WAS PARKED ON A NARROW RAMP EXTENSION TO A ROOF TOP HELIPAD THAT WAS SURROUNDED BY A CONCRETE CURB. UPON TAKEOFF TO A HOVER, THE RIGHT SNOW PAD STRUCK AND BECAME MOMENTARTILY CAUGHT ON BOLTS PROTRUDING FROM THE TOP OF THE CURB LOCATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HELICOPTER, RESULTING IN A RIGHT ROLLING ACTION OF THE HELICOPTER. THE LIFT FORCES BENT THE SNOW PAD, SUDDENLY DISENGAGING IT FROM THE BOLTS, AT WHICH TIME THE ACFT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TOWARD A BUILDING. AS THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO REGAIN CONTROL TO AVOID IMPACT WITH THE BUILDING, THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE ROOF TOP AND ANTI-TORQUE CONTROL WAS LOST. THE ACFT SPUN TO THE RIGHT UNTIL IMPACT ON THE HELIPAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5019K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45229
- Airframe hours: 2978
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Minuteman Aviation, doing business as [Ems]
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 5, 1985, 75 hours before
- Destination: CLEARWATER JCT, MT
- Airport: MSO, Missoula

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; 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: 4,960 total, 128 in this make and model, 4,445 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSO, 4 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 19860127001459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860127001459A), Jan 27, 1986: Bell 206L1, Missoula, MT, Substantial damage. During takeoff from the Helipad, skid hit a bolt. Helicopter lurched, spun around and impacted the Helipad.

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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