# NTSB DEN89FA101: Bell 206B-III, N16733, Park City, UT, April 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1989, 10:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Park City, UT
- Coordinates: 40.640037, -111.489067 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6400&lon=-111.4891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17585
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89FA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17585/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA101

## Probable cause

AN ENCOUNTER WITH STRONG DOWN-SLOPE WINDS AND GUSTS DURING A CRITIACAL PHASE OF FLIGHT WHICH CAUSED POWER REQUIRED TO EXCEED POWER AVAILABLE. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DOWNHILL TERRAIN AND THE DOWNDRAFT CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - electrical tower
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - sheared

## Analysis

WHILE TRANSPORTING SKIERS IN A REMOTE AREA NEAR PARK CITY, UT, A BELL 206B-III HELICOPTER CRASHED ON TAKEOFF AFTER ENCOUNTERING STRONG DOWN-SLOPE WINDS WITH GUSTS DURING A CRITICAL PHASE OF FLIGHT WHICH CAUSED PWR REQUIRED TO EXCEED PWR AVAILABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16733](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16733-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 2138, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B-III
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2138
- Airframe hours: 3556
- Engines: ALLISON 250C-20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Avman, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 27, 1989, 62 hours before
- Departed: PARK CITY, UT
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 7,400 total, 2,790 in this make and model, 7,320 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 20 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 1 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 19890405042679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890405042679A), Apr 5, 1989: Bell 206B, Park City, UT, Substantial damage. Encountered uncontrollable downdraft on takeoff over mountain downsloped during translational lift. Settled in trees

## Other investigations on N16733 (2)

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.

- [NTSB DEN89LA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA059), Jan 8, 1989: Bell 206B III (N16733), Park City, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE SELECTION OF AN UNSUITABLE LANDING SITE BY THE PILOT, RESULTING IN TAIL ROTOR CONTACT WITH THE TERRAIN AND SHEARING OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVESHAFT.
- [NTSB LAX78FUM34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78FUM34), Aug 18, 1978: Bell 206B (N16733), Holtville, CA, substantial damage

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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