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NTSB Report
January 21, 1985 · Bell 206 L-1 · N40TE
Carson, NM
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 21, 1985
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Carson, NM
Aircraft
Bell 206 L-1
Tail Number
N40TE
Operator
Ems
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN85FA067
THE HELICOPTER CRASHED IN OPEN TERRAIN DURING A TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION. WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT WAS HEADING NORTH AND WAS ON A CONVERGING COURSE WITH HIGH TENSION LINES THAT WERE ABOUT 80 TO 100 FT HIGH AND THE BELLY COUNTED SPOTLIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WHEN IT PASSED OVERHEAD. THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED SNOW COVERED TERRAIN IN A STEEP DESCENDING BANK TO THE RIGHT AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON A SOUTHERLY HEADING. THE POWER LINES SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF HAVING BEEN STRUCK. THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS 300 FT EAST OF THE POWER LINES.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER CRASHED IN OPEN TERRAIN DURING A TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION. WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT WAS HEADING NORTH AND WAS ON A CONVERGING COURSE WITH HIGH TENSION LINES THAT WERE ABOUT 80 TO 100 FT HIGH AND THE BELLY COUNTED SPOTLIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WHEN IT PASSED OVERHEAD. THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED SNOW COVERED TERRAIN IN A STEEP DESCENDING BANK TO THE RIGHT AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON A SOUTHERLY HEADING. THE POWER LINES SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF HAVING BEEN STRUCK. THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS 300 FT EAST OF THE POWER LINES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time23:15 MST
Nearest Airport15nm S
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206 L-1
Tail NumberN40TE
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorEms
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250C-28B · Turboshaft · 435
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind140° @ 7 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingOvercast 100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point16 C / 9 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:15
Weather SourceWIT