# NTSB GAA18CA512: Bell 206, N8052G, Battle Mountain, NV, August 18, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 18, 2018, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Battle Mountain, NV - Coordinates: 40.785831, -116.84333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7858&lon=-116.8433&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 20, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98112 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA512 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98112/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98112 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA512 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the proper altitude and airspeed while flying in a canyon in gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot reported that, while climbing out of a canyon at 30 knots indicated airspeed, about 50 ft above ground level, he felt a "hard vibration" in the cyclic and collective controls. He then saw that the airspeed gauge was reading 0 knots and felt the helicopter being pushed down. The torque indicator rose to 120% without any cyclic or collective control input. He applied right cyclic, lowered the collective, applied right pedal to counter the torque, and turned the helicopter downslope into the wind. He applied forward cyclic to better match the downslope of the terrain and raised the collective, but the skids impacted the ground, followed by the main rotor blades. The helicopter rotated 180º to the right before coming to rest downhill on its right side. Shortly after, a postimpact fire ensued, which destroyed the helicopter. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the winds were gusting to 30 knots in the canyon and "changing direction every minute or so." ## Factual narrative The helicopter pilot reported that while climbing out of a canyon at 30 knots indicated airspeed, about 50 ft above the ground, he felt a "hard vibration" in the cyclic and collective controls. He then saw that the airspeed gauge was reading zero knots and he felt the helicopter was being pushed down. The torque indicator rose to 120% without any cyclic and collective control input. He applied right cyclic, lowered the collective, applied right pedal to counter the torque, and turned the helicopter downslope and into the wind. He applied forward cyclic to better match the downslope of the terrain and raised collective, but the helicopter impacted terrain. The skids impacted the ground first followed by the main rotor blades. The helicopter rotated 180º to the right before coming to rest downhill, on its right side. Shortly after, a post impact fire ensued. The helicopter was destroyed during the postimpact fire. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the winds were gusting up to 30 knots in the canyon, "changing direction every minute or so." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8052G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8052G-2019-01-09), registration cancelled 2019-01-09, S/N 4050, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206 (B) - 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: 4050 - Year built: 1989 - Engines: Rolls Royve 250-C20R turbo shaft - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: El Aero Services Llc - Registered owner: El Aero Services Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BAM, Battle Mountain, NV - Destination: BAM, Battle Mountain, NV - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,060 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 3,975 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KBAM, 11 nm away - METAR: KBAM 182055Z AUTO 01008KT 7SM CLR 32/M09 A3022 RMK AO1 ## 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 20180818018519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180818018519A), Aug 18, 2018: Bell 206B, Battle Mountain, NV, Destroyed. 8-18-2018 The aircraft was involved in an accident while conducting a chucker wildlife survey. The pilot stated while in close proximity to the ground a… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98112. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478636&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 230 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478637&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.