# NTSB LAX84FA097: Bell 206B III, N113ML, Grand Canyon, AZ, December 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 8, 1983, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Grand Canyon, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.029663, -112.020835 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0297&lon=-112.0208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23916
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23916/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA097

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER STRUCK A CABLE WHILE FLYING ABOUT 25 FT AGL IN THE GRAND CANYON. THE ACFT WAS ON AN AERIAL OBSERVATION TO SURVEY AND ACQUAINT A PASSENGER WITH THE ARIZONA STRIP WILDERNESS DISTRICT. PHOENIX FSS HIGHLY RECOMMENDS THAT PLTS NOT FLY DOWN INTO THE CANYON. THE CABLES WERE ABOUT 34 FT ABOVE THE SURFACE OF THE COLORADO RIVER AND THE HELICOPTER WENT BELOW THE CABLE WHICH CONTACTED THE MAIN ROTOR MAST AND SEPARATED IT FROM THE FUSELAGE. SINCE THIS ACCIDENT CABLES IN GRANDS CANYON NATIONAL PARK WERE MARKED WTH ORANGE BALLS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N113ML (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B III
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2709
- Airframe hours: 2869
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Registered owner: Action Jet Ranger Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 5, 1983, 82 hours before
- Departed: PGA, PAGE, AZ
- Destination: SGU, ST. GEORGE, UT
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 5,500 total, 2,015 in this make and model, 43,003 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GCN, 40 nm away

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.