# NTSB SEA85FA211: Bell 206B, N14819, Emmett, ID, September 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1985, 14:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Emmett, ID
- Coordinates: 43.97993, -116.520614 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9799&lon=-116.5206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40061
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85FA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40061/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA211

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - lightning (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

NEWLY-LICENSED PLT DEPARTED INTO MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN IN THUNDERSTROM CONDITIONS DESPITE WARNINGS FROM FRIENDS. THE ACFT WRECKAGEWAS LOCATED TWO DAYS LATER IN RISING TERRAIN BELOW POWER 11 MILES FROM PT OF DEPARTURE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED HIGH SPEED VERTICAL IMPACT ON UPSLOPE TYPICAL OF A 'QUICK-STOP' MANEUVER OR ATTEMPT TO DUCK POWER LINES. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND OF PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ACFT STRUCTURE, POWERPLANT OR SYSTEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N14819 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 857
- Airframe hours: 7860
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jesus Gandiago
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 1985, 1 hours before
- Destination: RIGGINS, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 120 total, 28 in this make and model, 53 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °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 19850909044669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850909044669A), Sep 9, 1985: Bell 206B, Emmett, ID, Destroyed. Collided with ground in area of rising terrain. Weather was marginal with thunderstorms and heavy rain.

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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