# NTSB FTW94LA071: Bell 206L-3, N3211K, Cascade, CO, January 20, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 20, 1994, 13:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Cascade, CO
- Coordinates: 38.899375, -104.970069 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8994&lon=-104.9701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18992
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18992/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA071

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT'S YAW PERFORMANCE BEING EXCEEDED. A FACTOR WAS THE 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
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,yawing maneuvers - exceeded (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A LOW PASS OVER PIKES PEAK (14,110 FEET MSL) TO ALLOW HIS PASSENGER TO TAKE SOME PHOTOGRAPHS AND FOR HIM TO CHECK THE WIND CONDITIONS. HE FIRST MADE A LEFT 360 DEGREE CIRCULAR PASS, THEN SET UP A LOW APPROACH INTO THE WIND AND BEGAN A SLOW DESCENT. THE PILOT SAID THAT AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 40 TO 60 FEET ABOVE THE TERRAIN, HE 'LOST CONTROL IN THE YAW AXIS ONLY,' AND THE HELICOPTER MADE TWO OR THREE ROTATIONS BEFORE STRIKING THE GROUND AND ROLLING OVER.

## Factual narrative

On January 20, 1994, at approximately 1340 mountain standard time, N3211K, a Bell 206L-3, impacted terrain at the top of 14,110 foot Pikes Peak, near Cascade, Colorado.  The pilot and a pilot rated passenger were not injured, but the helicopter was substantially damaged.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company VFR flight plan had been filed for the ferry flight.

While en route from Broomfield to Pueblo, Colorado, the pilot decided to make a low pass over Pikes Peak to allow his passenger to take some photographs and for him to check the wind conditions.  He first made a left 360 degree circular pass, then set up a low approach into the wind and began a slow descent.  He said at an altitude of about 40 and 60 feet above the terrain, he "lost control in the yaw axis only," and the helicopter made two or three rotations before striking the ground and rolling over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3211K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3211K-2012-04-17), registration cancelled 2012-04-17, S/N 51126, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-3
- Registry model: [Bell 206L-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l-3) (registry code 1182108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C30 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c30-series) (registry code 03015, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 51126
- Airframe hours: 3167
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Puget Sound Helicopters
- Registered owner: Mitsui & Company USA, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1994, 15 hours before
- Departed: BJC, BROOMFIELD, CO
- Destination: PUB, PUEBLO, CO
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport, flight engineer, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 23,000 total, 210 in this make and model, 19,000 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 10 °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 19940120000639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940120000639A), Jan 20, 1994: Bell 206L3, Cascade, CO, Substantial damage. Made slow pass over pikes peak. Lost tail rotor effectiveness. Spun into peak. Rolled over. Photo flight.

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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