Bell 206L-3 N38903 accident, Grand Canyon, AZ, Oct 25, 1983 · NTSB LAX84FA032

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.

Loss of engine powerCruise

Reason for occurrence undeterminedCause

Forced landingLanding

Autorotation - performedPilot in command

Hard landingLanding - flare/touchdown

Weather condition - high density altitudeFactor

Terrain condition - mountainous/hillyFactor

Terrain condition - uphillFactor

Analysis

While on a non-revenue business flt, the plt noted a partial loss of power with the N1 dropping to 70% RPM & the torque decreasing to 10%. He was unable to restore power & subsequently made a forced landing in the Grand Canyon. The landing was made on an upward slope. During touchdown, the main rotor blades struck & severed the rear portion of the tail boom. After landing, the N1 was still at 70% with the throttle full open. An exam of the helicopter & eng revealed no cause for the loss of power. Eventually, an operational check of the eng was made, but still no discrepancies were noted. The elevation of the crash site was aprx 3500 ft.

Aircraft

Registration: N38903
Reported as: Bell 206L-3
Category: Helicopter
Serial number: 51017
Airframe hours: 1,707
Engine: Allison 250-C30P, 650 horsepower, turbo shaft
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Business · Part 91
Operator: Grand Canyon Helicopters
Registered owner: North American Helicopter
Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
Last inspection: 100 hour · October 21, 1983 · 10 hours before

N38903Registration cancelled May 12, 2005 · Bell 206L-3S/N 51017 Airframe modelBell 206L-3

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: 37
Certificates: Commercial, 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: 7,200 total · 103 in this make and model · 7,050 as pilot in command · 293 in the last 90 days · 5 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind: Variable at 10 knots
Visibility: 50 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: None
Temperature: 54 °F
Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Observed at: GCN, 12 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.

Accident 19831025055459ABell 206L3 · Grand Canyon, AZReported power loss. Chopped off tail boom on autorotation landing. Engine checked normal. Severe downdrafts in areaOct 25, 1983 · N38903 · Substantial damage

Other investigations on N38903 · 2

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

NTSB DEN00LA124Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLogan, UTin-flight collision with a jacket, which blew out of the helicopter because the left passenger door was not properly secured prior to takeoff. A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to ensure the door was properly closed prior to takeoff.Jul 7, 2000 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX93FA316Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportTusayan, AZFailure of the pilot of N444CR to maintain adequate main rotor clearance from N38903, and the operator's failure to provide adequate or recommended safe helipad dimensions. A factor in the accident was the lack of visual reference to the rotating blades of…Aug 8, 1993 · 2 aircraft · Destroyed