- Date
- April 18, 1987, 12:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place
- Denver, CO
- Injuries
- 5 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N38886Bell 206L-3
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 8, 1988
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19870418010219A
- Case key
- 17210
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
An ATP plt was conducting a sight seeing flt over Denver. The plt had 9 hours total time in this model helicopter, 6 hours as PIC. A hovering takeoff was initiated to the north with left turn to the west after takeoff. Current winds were reported from 220 degrees at 17 knots, gusting to 27 knots. The density altitude was 7,600 feet. The plt landed on the taxiway from 25 to 30 feet altitude, with low rotor RPM which resulted in a hard landing and damage to the skids and the lower cabin area. A post accident inspection was conducted by an a & p mechanic. No engine run was possible but a complete pneumatic, fuel system and compressor inspection was performed and no evidence of an engine malfunction/failure was noted.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N38886
- Reported as
- Bell 206L-3
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 51023
- Airframe hours
- 1,223
- Engine
- Allison 250-C30P, 650 horsepower, turbo shaft
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Part 91
- Registered owner
- Cww Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · November 1, 1986 · 11 hours before
- Airport
- DEN · Stapleton Int'L Airport
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 43
- Certificates
- Airline transport, Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Helicopter, Airplane
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 5,624 total · 9 in this make and model · 5,436 as pilot in command · 17 in the last 90 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 220° at 17 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility
- 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 82 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- DEN, 2 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.