# NTSB DEN89LA189: Bell 206B, N12DY, Georgetown, CO, August 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1989, 09:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Georgetown, CO
- Coordinates: 39.710643, -105.689208 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7106&lon=-105.6892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17762
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17762/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA189

## Probable cause

IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, TAIL WIND, GUSTS, AND TERRAIN WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PLT WAS FLYING A CAMERAMAN, WHO WAS FILMING A HIKER AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 13,000 FT IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 280 DEG AT 15, GUSTING TO 25 KNOTS. AFTER TURNING DOWNWIND, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN AN UNCOMMANDED RIGHT YAW. THE PLT SAID THAT FULL LEFT PEDAL FAILED TO STOP THE TURN AND HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN IN A RIGHT YAW AND THE SKIDS COLLAPSED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE TAIL ROTOR AND BOTH GEAR BOXES WERE DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12DY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12DY-1997-06-11), registration cancelled 1997-06-11, S/N 1900 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1900
- Airframe hours: 6549
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Ptarmigan Helicopters
- Registered owner: Dr. James W Langley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 22, 1989, 62 hours before
- Departed: NONE, EVERGREEN, CO
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 665 total, 85 in this make and model, 620 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19890808029969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890808029969A), Aug 8, 1989: Bell 206B, Georgetown, CO, Substantial damage. Low air speed. Lost tail rotor authority turning downwind on a photo flight. Landed in right yaw. Rolled over.

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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