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NTSB Report
February 4, 1990 · Bell 206B · N49573
Winthrop, WA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 4, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Winthrop, WA
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N49573
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA90LA040
DURING A LOCAL FLIGHT TO TRANSPORT SKIERS TO A MOUNTAIN, THE PILOT INITIATED A DESCENT FOR LANDING. WHEN APPROXIMATELY 30 FT AGL, DESCENT WAS TERMINATED DUE TO LOSS OF VISIBILITY FROM BLOWING SNOW. WHEN THE SNOW SETTLED, DESCENT WAS CONTINUED. JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, VISIBILITY WAS AGAIN REDUCED AND THE PILOT LOST HIS REFERENCE POINT. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN LEFT SKID FIRST AND IMMEDIATELY ROLLED OVER.
NTSB Probable Cause
WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT. DARKNESS AND THE OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WERE RELATED FACTORS.
Full Narrative
DURING A LOCAL FLIGHT TO TRANSPORT SKIERS TO A MOUNTAIN, THE PILOT INITIATED A DESCENT FOR LANDING. WHEN APPROXIMATELY 30 FT AGL, DESCENT WAS TERMINATED DUE TO LOSS OF VISIBILITY FROM BLOWING SNOW. WHEN THE SNOW SETTLED, DESCENT WAS CONTINUED. JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, VISIBILITY WAS AGAIN REDUCED AND THE PILOT LOST HIS REFERENCE POINT. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN LEFT SKID FIRST AND IMMEDIATELY ROLLED OVER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN49573
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point21 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO