# NTSB SEA94LA073: Bell 206 L-1, N2752U, Salt Lake City, UT, February 26, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 26, 1994, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Salt Lake City, UT
- Coordinates: 40.7499, -111.90068 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7499&lon=-111.9007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41886
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41886/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA073

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A LANDING SITE. FACTORS INCLUDE SNOW COVERED TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SOON AFTER LANDING ON THE SNOW COVERED RIDGE TO PICK UP SOME SKIERS, THE PILOT BECAME UNCOMFORTABLE WITH HIS SELECTED LANDING SITE. HE THEREFORE ATTEMPTED TO INITIATE A TAKEOFF, SO AS TO RELOCATE TO A MORE SUITABLE LOCATION. AS HE BEGAN HIS LIFT-OFF, THE SNOW PACK AT THE LANDING SITE BROKE LOOSE FROM THE RIDGE. AS THE SNOW PACK GAVE WAY, THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM IMPACTED THE TERRAIN, AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED DOWN THE HILL SIDE FOR ABOUT 800 FEET.

## Factual narrative

On February 26, 1994, approximately 1430 mountain standard time (MST), a Bell 206 helicopter, N2752U, collided with the terrain during an attempted takeoff from a snowfield about 10 miles southwest of Salt Lake City, Utah. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, received minor injuries, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The FAR Part 135 passenger flight, which had just landed to pick up some snow skiers, was operating in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The pilot was on a company VFR flight plan, and there was no report of an ELT activation.

According to the pilot, he had just landed on a snowfield ridge in the Oquirrh Mountains, but did not feel comfortable with the site he had chosen. He therefore decided to depart that site, and pick up the skiers at a different location. As he was initiating the takeoff, the portion of the snowfield that the aircraft was on broke loose, and began sliding down the side of the mountain. The pilot attempted to lift off, but the main rotor blades contacted the snow pack, and the aircraft settled onto the snowfield, and tumbled about 800 feet down the mountain.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2752U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2752U-2012-09-21), registration cancelled 2012-09-21, S/N 45258, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206 L-1
- Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C30 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c30-series) (registry code 03015, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45258
- Airframe hours: 5452
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Classic Helicopters
- Registered owner: Classic Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 18, 1994, 8 hours before
- Departed: BTF, BOUNTIFUL, UT
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,248 total, 2,948 in this make and model, 3,141 as pilot in command, 74 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 14,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19940226006779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940226006779A), Feb 26, 1994: Bell 206L1, Salt Lake City, UT, Substantial damage. Landed snow covered ridge, unsuitable. Began liftoff. Snowpack broke loose. Rotors hit snow. Rolled down hill.

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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