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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

January 20, 1994 · Bell 206L-3 · N3211K

Cascade, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 20, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Cascade, CO
Aircraft
Bell 206L-3
Tail Number
N3211K
Operator
Puget Sound Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW94LA071

THE PILOT MADE A LOW PASS OVER PIKES PEAK (14,110 FEET MSL) TO ALLOW HIS PASSENGER TO TAKE SOME PHOTOGRAPHS AND FOR HIM TO CHECK THE WIND CONDITIONS. HE FIRST MADE A LEFT 360 DEGREE CIRCULAR PASS, THEN SET UP A LOW APPROACH INTO THE WIND AND BEGAN A SLOW DESCENT. THE PILOT SAID THAT AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 40 TO 60 FEET ABOVE THE TERRAIN, HE 'LOST CONTROL IN THE YAW AXIS ONLY,' AND THE HELICOPTER MADE TWO OR THREE ROTATIONS BEFORE STRIKING THE GROUND AND ROLLING OVER.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT'S YAW PERFORMANCE BEING EXCEEDED. A FACTOR WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

Full Narrative

On January 20, 1994, at approximately 1340 mountain standard time, N3211K, a Bell 206L-3, impacted terrain at the top of 14,110 foot Pikes Peak, near Cascade, Colorado. The pilot and a pilot rated passenger were not injured, but the helicopter was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company VFR flight plan had been filed for the ferry flight. While en route from Broomfield to Pueblo, Colorado, the pilot decided to make a low pass over Pikes Peak to allow his passenger to take some photographs and for him to check the wind conditions. He first made a left 360 degree circular pass, then set up a low approach into the wind and began a slow descent. He said at an altitude of about 40 and 60 feet above the terrain, he "lost control in the yaw axis only," and the helicopter made two or three rotations before striking the ground and rolling over.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:40 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206L-3
Tail NumberN3211K
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPuget Sound Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C30P · Turboshaft · 650
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 12 kt
Visibility100 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data