# NTSB DEN87LA142: Bell 206B II, N59624, Logan, UT, June 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1987, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Logan, UT
- Coordinates: 41.720874, -111.840843 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7209&lon=-111.8408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17240
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17240/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA142

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use, pilot in command
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - separation

## Analysis

THE PLT DID NOT HAVE AUTHORIZATOIN FROM HIS EMPLOYER TO CONDUCT THE FLIGHT. THE PLT STATED AFTER THE ACC THAT HE WAS ON A LCL FLT WITH THE PAX TO VIEW PROPERTY. HE CONT TO STATE THAT DRNG A RT TURN THE ENG LOW ROTOR RPM WARNING SOUNDED. THE PLT EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION AND LNDD HARD IN A HAY FIELD. THE TAIL BOOM WAS SEVERED BY THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES. POST CRASH EXAM REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A MECH MALFUNTION OR FAILURE OF THE ACFT OR ENG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N59624 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B II
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1532
- Airframe hours: 4343
- Engines: ALLISON A250-C20B 250 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Reeder Flying Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Reeder Flying Service, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 29, 1987, 64 hours before
- Departed: LGU, LOGAN, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 5,030 total, 3,550 in this make and model, 4,700 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGU

## 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 19870603022399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870603022399A), Jun 3, 1987: Bell 206B, Logan, UT, Substantial damage. Allowed rotor RPM to decay showing passengers an autorotation. Hard landing chopped tailboom. Flight unauthorized.

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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