- Date
- June 12, 1997, 15:18 local (21:18 UTC)
- Place
- Weston, CO
- Injuries
- 5 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N207DSBell 206L-3
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report September 30, 1997
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19970612013819A
- Case key
- 20240
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision and failure to maintain adequate altitude and/or clearance from rising mountainous/hilly terrain. The unfavorable wind condition and low airspeed were related factors.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot said he crested a ridge and descended into the next valley following the terrain downhill. The wind felt like it was calm. As he approach the far side of the valley, the pilot realized he was going to have to make a 360 degree climbing turn in order to clear the ridge. Reportedly, after completing about 90 degrees of the turn, the helicopter was hit by a gust of wind from the rear, causing a 'significant decrease in apparent airspeed,' and the helicopter settled toward the trees. The pilot said he had to decide whether to attempt completing the turn and risk striking a tree with ground speed, or attempt a touchdown with zero airspeed. He chose the latter. The helicopter settled into trees and rolled over.
Factual narrative
On June 12, 1997, at 1518 mountain daylight time, a Bell 206L-3, N207DS, operated by Delta Bravo Sierra Corporation d/b/a DBS Air, Inc., was substantially damaged when it collided with trees while maneuvering 15 miles southwest of Weston, Colorado. The commercial pilot and four passengers escaped injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company VFR flight plan had been filed for the nonscheduled domestic passenger air taxi flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 135. The flight originated from Trinidad, Colorado, on June 12, 1997, approximately 1405.
According to the pilot's accident report, this was his fourth trip of the day over the same proposed gas pipeline route. The flight was for the purpose of conducting a raptor (bird) study, and required low and slow flight over wooded areas. The pilot noted convective clouds had been building all day. The pilot said he crested a ridge and descended into the next valley following the terrain downhill. "The wind felt like it was at a momentary lull," he wrote. "As we approached the far side of this particular valley (west side), it was obvious we were going to require a climbing 360 degree turn in order to clear the next ridge." After completing about 90 degrees of the turn, the helicopter was hit by a gust of wind from the rear, causing a "significant decrease in apparent airspeed" and the helicopter settled towards the trees. The pilot said he had to decide whether to attempt completing the turn and risk striking a tree with ground speed, or attempt a landing with zero airspeed. He chose the latter. The helicopter settled into trees and rolled over on its right side.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N207DS
- Reported as
- Bell 206L-3
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 51253
- Airframe hours
- 1,692
- Engine
- Allison 250-C30P, 650 horsepower, turbo shaft
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Part 135
- Registered owner
- Delta Bravo Sierra Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · April 10, 1997 · 38 hours before
- Departed
- TAD · Trinidad, CO
- Flight plan
- Company VFR
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 47
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 1,800 total · 699 in this make and model · 1,578 as pilot in command · 56 in the last 90 days · 36 in the last 30 days · 6 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 100° at 13 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature
- 77 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- TAD, 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.
Other investigations on N207DS · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.