# NTSB SEA92FA045: Bell 206B, N5003U, Wellington, UT, February 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 11, 1992, 18:35 local (Feb 12, 1992, 01:35 UTC)
- Place: Wellington, UT
- Coordinates: 39.539249, -110.740486 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5392&lon=-110.7405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41569
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92FA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41569/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92FA045

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND AN EXCESSIVE RATE OF DESCENT.  FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE FOG, RAIN, LOW CEILINGS, NIGHT CONDITIONS, SNOW COVERED TERRAIN AND PILOT DISORIENTATION.

## Analysis

THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED, 371 HOUR PILOT DEPARTED EAGLE, COLORADO, IN HIS BELL 206B HELICOPTER AFTER RECEIVING A VFR NOT RECOMMENDED UPDATE TO HIS WEATHER BRIEFING.  WITNESSES ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT AND AT THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED FOG AND POOR VISIBILITY, PRECIPITATION, LOW CEILINGS, NIGHT CONDITIONS AND SNOW COVERED GROUND.  THE PILOT INITIALLY REQUESTED THAT HIS WIFE MEET THE HELICOPTER AT A LOCATION SHORT OF THE DESTINATION BUT SUBSEQUENTLY DEPARTED THE ROADSIDE LANDING SITE AFTER RELAYING INSTRUCTIONS THROUGH HIS PASSENGER FOR HER TO POSITION HER VEHICLE BENEATH POWER LINES CROSSING THE HIGHWAY WHICH CONTINUED TO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT.  ON SITE EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE SKIDS HAD SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE SHATTERING DAMAGE AND WERE CONFINED TO A SMALL LOCAL AREA ASSOCIATED WITH THE INITIAL GROUND IMPACT.  THE TERRAIN AT THE GROUND IMPACT SITE WAS UNEVEN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, taxi - aerial
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, other

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5003U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5003U-1992-06-12), registration cancelled 1992-06-12, S/N 2444 (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: 2444
- Airframe hours: 4577
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Summit Helicopter Systems Inc.
- Registered owner: Summit Helicopter Systems Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 11, 1992, 40 hours before
- Departed: EGE, EAGLE, CO
- Destination: PUC, PRICE, UT
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 371 total, 281 in this make and model, 253 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft
- Temperature: 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PUC, 7 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 19920211002629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920211002629A), Feb 11, 1992: Bell 206B, Wellington, UT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck rough ground near a highway while hovering,unable to proceed due to dense fog. VFR flight not recommended.

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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