# NTSB SEA87LA091: Bell 206-B, N3187D, Sloan, NV, May 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1987, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Sloan, NV
- Location: 35.9436° N, 115.2172° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sloan, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9436&lon=-115.2172&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40622
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40622/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA091

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts
  - in-flight planning/decision - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Roll over, other

## Analysis

WHILE CLIMBING AT A SLOW AIRSPEED AT A LOW ALTITUDE ABOVE THE GROUND DURING STRONG GUSTING WIND CONDITIONS, THE PILOT INITIATED A RIGHT TURN AND ENCOUNTERED AN UNCOMMANDED RIGHT YAW. THE AIRCRAFT COMPLETED SEVERAL RIGHT SPINNING TURNS, IMPACTED THE GROUND, AND ROLLED ONTO ITS LEFT SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3187D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206-B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1326
- Airframe hours: 5434
- Engines: ALLISON 250C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jetcopters II, Inc.
- Registered owner: Special Aircraft Charter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1987
- Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: SLOAN, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4,500 total, 1,650 in this make and model, 1,280 as pilot in command, 124 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 30 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °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 19870509016019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870509016019A), May 9, 1987: Bell 206B, Sloan, NV, Destroyed. The aircraft hit the ground rotating to the right. The pilot was operating in high, gusty wind conditions.

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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