# NTSB SEA96TA050: Bell 206B, N32FR, Kemmerer, WY, February 7, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: February 7, 1996, 08:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Kemmerer, WY - Coordinates: 41.779037, -110.550682 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7790&lon=-110.5507&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42475 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96TA050 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42475/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96TA050 ## Probable cause the selection of an unsuitable landing zone by the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, takeoff - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot attempted a takeoff from snow-covered terrain. As the helicopter began to lift up, it became mired in the snow and moved forward. The pilot then decreased collective in an attempt to reposition the helicopter. At that time, some of the snow became displaced beneath the helicopter, and it rolled over to the right and was substantially damaged. ## Factual narrative On February 7, 1996, about 0815 mountain standard time, N32FR, a Bell 206B helicopter, operated by the U.S. Department of the Interior, rolled over during takeoff near Kemmerer, Wyoming, and was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan had been filed. The public use flight was conducted for a geological survey under 14 CFR 91. According to the pilot, he attempted a takeoff from snow-covered terrain. As the helicopter began to lift up, it became displaced in the snow and moved forward. The pilot then decreased collective in an attempt to stop the forward motion and reposition the helicopter. At that time, some of the snow became displaced beneath the helicopter, and it rolled over to the right. The rotor blades contacted the ground and were damaged. The entire rotor hub assembly was separated from the mast. Damage to the tail boom and cabin structure was also reported. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were reported. The pilot reported that prior to landing at the landing zone, he performed a low pass. He then attempted to pack the snow under the helicopter's snow pads, and then settled onto the snow and shut down the engine. His two passengers exited the aircraft to perform scientific observations. One of the passengers then re-boarded the aircraft and desired to be flown to another location. It was during this takeoff that the accident occurred. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N32FR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32FR-2018-04-24), registration cancelled 2018-04-24, S/N 2596 (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: 2596 - Airframe hours: 6940 - Engines: Allison 250-C20/B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Public use - Operator: U.S. Dept. Of The Interior - Registered owner: Hawkins & Powers, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1995, 49 hours before - Destination: RIW, RIVERTON, WY - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4,300 total, 120 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 19 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: EVW, 25 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 19960207001429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960207001429A), Feb 7, 1996: Bell 206B, Kemmerer, WY, Substantial damage. Dept inter 206B rolled over on takeoff from snow covered terrain. Snow displaced under a skid causing rollover. ## Other investigations on N32FR (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 DEN00LA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA176), Sep 22, 2000: Bell 206B (N32FR), Rawlins, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The company dispatching, and the pilot initiating, flight into known adverse weather with an aircraft which did not have the required anti-ice equipment installed. A factor was snow 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.