# NTSB ERA09WA075: Bell 206, Vetas, Colombia, November 24, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Foreign investigation
- Date: November 24, 2008, 08:25 local (13:25 UTC)
- Place: Vetas, Colombia
- Coordinates: 7.305277, -72.868057 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=7.3053&lon=-72.8681&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Led by another country's authority
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Lead agency: Other
- Parties: Rolls Royce
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69520
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09WA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69520/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09WA075

## Probable cause

None.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Other authority investigated (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

None.

## Factual narrative

On November 24, 2008, at 0825 eastern standard time, a Bell 206-L3 helicopter, HK 4361, operated by Aero Charter Adina S.A., crashed shortly after takeoff, in Vetas, Colombia. The helicopter was destroyed and the pilot and two passengers were killed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The helicopter had just departed a soccer field in Vetas, enroute to deliver money to various business locations in the area. The departure point elevation was 10,200 feet mean sea level. As the helicopter was making its take off, and just after clearing some power lines, the helicopter began a right turn. During the turn the helicopter lost directional control and began to spin to the left and descend where it impacted power lines with subsequent crash. A local police officer who was a witness to the take off stated that just as the helicopter was turning, an unusually strong wind blew thought the valley from the south southwest. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Colombia. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Camilo Micolta Ramirez Inspector de Seguridad Aerea Grupo Investigacion de Accidentes Aeronautica Civil – Colombia Tel: (1) 266 3068 Email: camilo.micolta@aerocivil.gov.co

## Aircraft

- Registration: HK4361 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206 (L3)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 51320
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Non-U.S., commercial
- Operator: Aero Charter Adidna S.A.
- Registered owner: Coast Helicopter Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Vetas
- Destination: Vetas
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

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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