# NTSB DEN87LA107: Bell 206L-3, N38886, Denver, CO, April 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1987, 12:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Denver, CO
- Coordinates: 39.730518, -104.920143 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7305&lon=-104.9201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17210
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17210/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA107

## 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
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-3
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 51023
- Airframe hours: 1223
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 43; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870418010219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870418010219A), Apr 18, 1987: Bell 206L3, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. The helicopter lost rotor RPM during takeoff. Damage occurred during the hard landing. No engine malfunction found.

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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