# NTSB FTW93GA269: Bell 206B, N39049, Wht Sands Mr, NM, September 29, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1993, 18:00 local (Sep 29, 1993, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Wht Sands Mr, NM
- Coordinates: 32.460201, -106.490913 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4602&lon=-106.4909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18676
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93GA269
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18676/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93GA269

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO LAND AN ADEQUATE DISTANCE AWAY FROM THE UNSECURED PARACHUTE.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, standing - idling rotors
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO LOCATE AND RETRIEVE AN EXPENDED MISSILE. THE PILOT STATED THAT UPON SPOTTING THE MISSILE, HE LANDED ABOUT 25 FEET FROM IT, ON THE DOWNWIND SIDE. HE FURTHER STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER HE REDUCED THROTTLE TO FLIGHT IDLE, THE DESCENT PARACHUTE, WHICH WAS DRAPED OVER THE MISSILE, INFLATED, BLEW TOWARD THE AIRCRAFT, AND WAS ENTANGLED IN THE MAIN AND TAIL ROTOR SYSTEMS.

## Factual narrative

On September 28, 1993, at approximately 1800 mountain        daylight time, a Bell 206B, N39049, was substantially damaged when a parachute was ingested through the main rotor and tail rotor systems at a remote site on White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.  The aircraft, flown by a commercial pilot, was on a local public use flight.  Company flight following was being used and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  Neither the pilot, nor the two passengers were injured.

The aircraft was operating out of Condron Army Air Field and the purpose of the mission was to locate and retrieve an expended missile.  The pilot stated that when they spotted the missile he landed about 25 feet from it, on the downwind side.  He further stated that shortly after he reduced throttle to flight idle, the descent parachute, which had been draped over the missile, inflated, blew toward the aircraft, and was ingested into the rotor systems.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39049](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N39049), registered now, S/N 3101, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (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: 3101
- Airframe hours: 7538
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aspen Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 1, 1993, 33 hours before
- Departed: WSD
- Destination: WSD
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,051 total, 3,218 in this make and model, 5,077 as pilot in command, 155 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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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