# NTSB DEN89LA090: Bell 222, N5008Q, Leadville, CO, March 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1989, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Leadville, CO
- Coordinates: 39.240829, -106.290359 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2408&lon=-106.2904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17684
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17684/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA090

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO COMPENSATE ADEQUATELY FOR WIND CONDITIONS WITH RUDDER PEDALS WHILE MANEUVERING IN UNFAVORABLE WIND AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - tail rotor/anti-torque control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PLT & A TECHNICIAN WERE PERFORMING REARWARD FLT TO TEST AN EXPERIMENTAL ENG INSTLN. THE MANEUVER USED WAS A REARWARD HOVER TO 20 KTS, FOLLOWED BY A RIGHT PEDAL TURN TO REVERSE COURSE & FLY AWAY. THE PLT WAS USING RWY 16 & THE WIND WAS FROM 260 DEG AT 12 KTS. THE PLT RPRTD THAT DRG THE RIGHT TURN, THE HELICOPTER ENTERED AN UNCOMMANDED RIGHT SPIN. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ANTI-TORQUE CONTROL & LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE TO LAND. HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN WITH SIDEWARD MOVEMENT, COLLAPSING THE NOSE & LEFT MAIN GEAR. THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE RWY DRG THE GEAR FAILURE & THE TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX WAS TORN FROM THE TAIL SECTION. THE PLT ORIGINALLY SUSPECTED A HYDRAULIC PROBLEM, BUT AN INSPN FAILED TO REVEAL EVIDENCE OF ANY PRE-ACDNT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. ELEVATION & TEMPERATURE WERE 9927 FT & 65 DEG, RESPECTIVELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5008Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5008Q-2009-07-23), registration cancelled 2009-07-23, S/N 47009, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 222
- Registry model: [Bell 222](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-222) (registry code 1182122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 47009
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C30G 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Heli-Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: LVX
- Airport: LXV, Leadville, runway 16, 5,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,490 total, 102 in this make and model, 1,313 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 61 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890323004739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890323004739A), Mar 23, 1989: Bell 222, Leadville, CO, Substantial damage. Lost tail rotor effectiveness while turning in a hover on an aerial taxi test flight. Impacted in turn. Chopped tail

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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