# NTSB LAX83FA179: Bell 206L-1, N302PS, Red Rock, AZ, April 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1983, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Red Rock, AZ
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23443
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23443/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA179

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND IN A MOUNTAINOUS AREA IN CALM WIND CONDITIONS. AT AN ESTIMATED DISTANCE OF 350 FT & AN ALT OF APRX 75 FT ABOVE THE TOUCHDOWN ZONE, THE NOSE OF THE HELICOPTER BEGAN A GRADUAL LEFT TURN AS THE PLT APPLIED COLLECTIVE PITCH. AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, HE NOTED THAT THE TURBINE OUTLET TEMP (TOT) WAS RISING & THE MAIN ROTOR RPM WAS DECAYING. THERE WAS A DEEP GORGE AHEAD, SO HE MADE A LEFT CYCLIC TURN & LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE IN AN ATTEMPT TO REACH A CLEARING. AS HE ATTEMPTED TO STABILIZE THE HELICOPTER, IT STARTED TO ROTATE TO THE RIGHT & THE ROTOR LOW RPM WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER SETTLED INTO A JUNIPER TREE & ROLLED OVER ONTO ITS SIDE. THE AIR TEMP & ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WERE 24 DEG FAHRENHEIT & 7150 FT, RESPECTIVELY. A FUNCTIONAL TEST OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT IT WOULD OPERATE WITHIN ITS LIMITS. THE CONTROL CONTINUITY COULD NOT BE ESTIMATED DUE TO SEPARATION OF THE TAIL BOOM PUSH-PULL TUBE. REPORTEDLY, THE MAIN ROTOR & ENG RPM NEEDLES HAD REMAINED JOINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N302PS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45731
- Airframe hours: 672
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 500 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arizona Public Service
- Last inspection: Annual, February 27, 1983, 68 hours before
- Departed: FARMINGTON, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 7,836 total, 662 in this make and model, 7,119 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °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 19830404011119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830404011119A), Apr 4, 1983: Bell 206L1, Red Rock, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost control while maneuvering to land in a hazardous area. Allowed rmp decay. Struck trees.

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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