# NTSB SEA85FA040: Bell 206BIII, N3185Z, Yerington, NV, January 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1985, 09:10 local (17:10 UTC)
- Place: Yerington, NV
- Coordinates: 38.87088, -119.14019 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8709&lon=-119.1402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40027
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85FA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40027/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA040

## Analysis

THE PLT MADE AN EN ROUTE EMERGENCY LANDING DUE TO DETERIORATED WX. AFTER WAITING SOME PERIOD OF TIME, A TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED BUT THE HELICOPTER WAS UNABLE TO BECOME AIRBORNE. THE HELICOPTER BOUNCED DOWN HILLY TERRAIN AND ROLLED OVER TO THE LEFT. WX AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT CONSISTED OF FREEZING TEMPS, FOG AND SNOW GRAINS. THE HELICOPTER WAS FOUND TO BE LOADED OVER THE MAX GROSS WEIGHT WHICH COMBINED WITH ICE ON THE ROTOR BLADES AND IN THE AIR INTAKE RESULTED IN A REDUCED POWER OUTPUT DURING THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - lift-off - not possible
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - deteriorated (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - ice/frost removal from aircraft - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - icing conditions
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
- Roll over, takeoff
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3185Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3185Z-1989-10-27), registration cancelled 1989-10-27, S/N 3804 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206BIII
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3804
- Airframe hours: 314
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20J 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: William Meyers, doing business as Meri Helicopters Inc
- Registered owner: Meri Helicopters. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 29, 1984, 15 hours before
- Departed: RNO, RENO, NV
- Destination: 043, IONE, NV
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: right; flight hours: 5,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 14 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 26 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850113000619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850113000619A), Jan 13, 1985: Bell 206B, Yerington, NV, Substantial damage. Attempted takeoff from remote hilly site after weather improved. Overgross, bounced on skids, slid down hill.

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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