# NTSB SEA92FA016: Bell 206B, N5736B, Salt Lake City, UT, November 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1991, 11:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Salt Lake City, UT
- Coordinates: 40.56953, -111.89019 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5695&lon=-111.8902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41560
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92FA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41560/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92FA016

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: INADEQAUTE REMEDIAL ACTION, OVER CONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL ABILITY, AND LACK OF RECENT EXPEREINCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - ground
- Fire, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FLIGHT, THE HELICOPTER LIFTED OFF FROM THE PARKING RAMP AND IMMEDIATELY BEGAN SPINNING AS IT ASCENDED TO AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT AT THE PEAK OF THE CLIMB, THE RATE OF ROTATION SLOWED AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN A RAPID DESCENT. PITCH ANGLE DIFFERENCES IN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES, ALONG WITH A DECREASE IN THE MAIN ROTOR ROTATION, WERE NOTICED. THE HELICOPTER'S PITCH ANGLE (NOSE UP AND NOSE DOWN) WAS ERRATIC. JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT, THE HELICOPTER STABILIZED AND WAS NOT ROTATING WHEN IT IMPACTED ON THE RAMP A FEW HUNDRED YARDS FROM THE TAKEOFF POINT. THE HELICOPTER WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES UPON IMPACT. SOME OF THE WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS SPINNING TO THE LEFT, WHILE OTHERS REPORTED THAT IT WAS SPINNING TO THE RIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5736B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5736B-2013-06-04), registration cancelled 2013-06-04, S/N 3033 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3033
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Classic Helicopter Service
- Registered owner: Henderson, Brent
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1991
- Airport: SLC, Salt Lake City

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; medical: class 3, expired; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 77 total, 77 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19911108050059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911108050059A), Nov 8, 1991: Bell 206B, Salt Lake City, UT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Indicates lost tailrotor effectiveness on takeoff and descent. Recovered too late. Rolled and exploded on impact.

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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