# NTSB SEA93FA048: Bell 206B3, N1078V, Ogden, UT, January 3, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 3, 1993, 15:40 local (22:40 UTC)
- Place: Ogden, UT
- Coordinates: 41.209625, -111.970344 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2096&lon=-111.9703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42935
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93FA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42935/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93FA048

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S CONTINUATION OF VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND HIS DECISION TO CONTINUE HIS LANDING ATTEMPTS UNDER THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE LOW CLOUDS, FOG AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, go-around (vfr)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS TRANSPORTING PERSONNEL WITHIN A REMOTE MOUNTAIN VALLEY IN SUPPORT OF THE COMMERCIAL FILMING OF CELEBRITY SKIERS. THE SKIERS HAD BEEN FILMED AS THEY SKIED DOWN A RIDGE, AND WERE BEING FLOWN BACK TO THE TOP OF THE RIDGELINE. DURING THE THIRD GO-AROUND FOLLOWING THREE ATTEMPTS TO LAND ON THE RIDGETOP LANDING SITE, THE HELICOPTER DISAPPEARED INTO A CLOUD BANK AND IMPACTED THE RIDGE AT THE 8,500-FT LEVEL. MEMBERS OF THE PARTY ON THE GROUND DESCRIBED THE AREA AS BEING 'TOTALLY SOCKED IN.' THE BASIC WEATHER SHOWN IN THE ENVIRONMENT/OPERATIONS INFORMATION SECTION WAS THE 1445 0BSERVATION AT OGDEN. OGDEN IS 15 SW OF THE ACCIDENT SITE, AT AN ELEVATION OF 4,470 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1078V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1078V-2018-01-09), registration cancelled 2018-01-09, S/N 2923, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B3
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2923
- Airframe hours: 4873
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: South Coast Helicopters
- Registered owner: Fred & Cheryl Hoese, DBA
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 22, 1992, 50 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,925 total, 643 in this make and model, 7,793 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OGD, 15 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 19930103000039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930103000039A), Jan 3, 1993: Bell 206B3, Ogden, UT, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Struck mountainside after entering clouds while maneuvering for ridge landing. Sigmets for mountain obscured.

## Other investigations on N1078V (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN84FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA038), Dec 3, 1983: Bell 206B (N1078V), Ft. Morgan, CO, substantial damage

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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