# NTSB DEN88LA026: Bell 206B III, N1073N, Albuquerque, NM, November 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1987, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Location: 35.0845° N, 106.6511° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Albuquerque, NM, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0845&lon=-106.6511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17418
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17418/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA026

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command
  - pickup equipment - inadequate
  - external load sling/harness - entangled
  - vertical takeoff - restricted (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RETRIEVE A PARACHUTE RETARDED ROCKET THAT CAME TO REST IN A TREE BY HOOKING THE RIGHT FRONT SKID SHOE UNDER THE CHUTE, THE PARACHUTE GOT HUNG UP IN THE TREE. THE HELICOPTER LIFTED THE ROCKET APPROX 6 FT INTO THE AIR BEFORE IT SWUNG INTO THE LOWER BRANCHES OF THE TREE. THE ACFT ROLLED RIGHT AND IMPACTED THE GROUND IN AN APPROX 45 DEGREE NOSE LOW ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1073N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1073N-1995-04-26), registration cancelled 1995-04-26, S/N 2881 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B III
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2881
- Airframe hours: 2940
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20J 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Aero West Management Services
- Registered owner: Elk Mountain Helicopter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 1987, 8 hours before
- Departed: 4AC, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: SANDIA LABS, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 8,463 total, 950 in this make and model, 8,349 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 5 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 19871119069099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871119069099A), Nov 19, 1987: Bell 206B, Albuquerque, NM, Destroyed. Tried to lift a rocket from a tree by its parachute after hooking it with skid. Entered dynamic rollover. Crashed.

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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