# NTSB DEN92FA089: Bell 206L3, N911NM, Bayfield, CO, September 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1992, 18:45 local (Sep 3, 1992, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Bayfield, CO
- Coordinates: 37.230278, -107.590248 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2303&lon=-107.5902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18161
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92FA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18161/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92FA089

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO PROPERLY USE THE HELICOPTER'S PERFORMANCE DATA. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE TERRAIN 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, landing
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - performance data - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN ROUGH, ROCKY MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN DURING A MEDIVAC FLIGHT, AT A PRESSURE ALTITUDE OF 9,830 FT, LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS OCCURRED, AND THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED RAPIDLY AND CRASHED ONTO ROCKS. THE HELICOPTER WAS OPERATING IN A PERFORMANCE LIMITED PORTION OF THE HOVER PERFORMANCE CHART AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N911NM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L3
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 51569
- Airframe hours: 158
- Engines: ALLISON C-30 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Air Methods Corporation, doing business as Air Care I
- Registered owner: Air Methods Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 5, 1992, 60 hours before
- Departed: FARMINGTON, NM
- Destination: DURANGO, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 6,671 total, 434 in this make and model, 5,158 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DRO, 30 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 19920902035079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920902035079A), Sep 2, 1992: Bell 206L3, Bayfield, CO, Substantial damage. Lost tail rotor effectiveness during hover landing. Began spin. Dropped to hard impact. Wind high atitude factors.

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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