# NTSB LAX93LA107: Bell 206B, N855B, Parks, AZ, January 30, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 29, 1993, 17:00 local (Jan 30, 1993, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Parks, AZ - Coordinates: 35.19033, -111.919761 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1903&lon=-111.9198&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 27915 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA107 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27915/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA107 ## Probable cause 1) THE PILOT NOT OBTAINING FORECAST WEATHER FOR HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT NOR HIS DESTINATION 2) THE PILOT'S INFLIGHT DECISION TO FLY INTO SNOW WITH THE HELICOPTER'S ENGINE AIR INDUCTION PARTICLE SEPARATOR KIT NOT INSTALLED, AS REQUIRED BY THE BELL 206B PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK, AND 3) THE PILOT'S IN FLIGHT DECISION TO TURN THE ENGINE ANTI ICE TO THE OFF POSITION. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN THE PILOT WAS FLYING OVER WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THIS UNSUITABLE TERRAIN CAUSED THE PILOT TO USE COLLECTIVE PITCH TO CLEAR TREES RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT ROTOR RPM TO CUSHION THE LANDING TOUCHDOWN. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather forecast - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - snow (contributing factor) - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - flight manuals - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - anti-ice/deice system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE AND HIS TWO PASSENGERS DEPARTED DURING VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. ABOUT 55 MILES FROM HIS DEPARTURE POINT HE SAID THE CEILING DECREASED TO 300 FEET AND VISIBILITY WAS ONE HALF MILE IN SNOW SHOWERS. HE SAID THE TEMPERATURE WAS 38 TO 49 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. HE TURNED THE ENGINE ANTI ICE ON. HE FLEW ANOTHER 6 TO 8 MILES AND NOTED THE TEMPERATURE AS 40 TO 41 DEGREES. HE TURNED THE ANTI ICE OFF. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER CHECKED THE ENGINE INLET AREA AND REPORTED TO THE PILOT THAT SHE DID NOT SEE ANYTHING. IN LESS THAN ONE MINUTE THE ENGINE LOST TOTAL POWER. THE PILOT ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION AND TRIED TO LAND IN AN OPEN AREA. HE SAID HE HAD TO USE SOME COLLECTIVE PITCH TO CLEAR TREES. WITH INSUFFICIENT REMAINING COLLECTIVE PITCH, THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE ENGINE WAS STARTED ON SCENE. UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF AN FAA SAFETY INSPECTOR IT WAS ALSO RAN THROUGH ALL POWER SETTINGS WITHOUT DIFFICULTY AT A TEST FACILITY. THE PILOT SAID HE DID NOT HAVE THE ENGINE AIR INDUCTION PARTICLE SEPARATOR KIT INSTALLED ON THE AIRCRAFT, AS REQUIRED BY THE BELL 206B FLIGHT MANUAL. THE MANUAL ALSO STATES THE ENGINE ANTI ICE SHOULD BE 'ON' IN VISIBLE MOISTURE WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 40. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N855B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N855B-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N 316 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206B - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 316 - Airframe hours: 6974 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 375 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Donald A. Parrish - Registered owner: Donald A. Parrish - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, November 6, 1992, 98 hours before - Departed: NONE, SUPAI, AZ - Destination: SEZ, SEDONA, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,313 total, 2,160 in this make and model, 5,660 as pilot in command, 128 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 190° at 5 knots - Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast ## 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 19930129001199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930129001199A), Jan 29, 1993: Bell 206B, Parks, AZ, Substantial damage. Encountered low temperature and snow showers. Engine flamed out. Hard autorotation. No particle separator kit. 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.