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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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January 13, 1985 · Bell 206BIII · N3185Z

Yerington, NV

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 13, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Yerington, NV
Aircraft
Bell 206BIII
Tail Number
N3185Z
Operator
William Meyers
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA85FA040

THE PLT MADE AN EN ROUTE EMERGENCY LANDING DUE TO DETERIORATED WX. AFTER WAITING SOME PERIOD OF TIME, A TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED BUT THE HELICOPTER WAS UNABLE TO BECOME AIRBORNE. THE HELICOPTER BOUNCED DOWN HILLY TERRAIN AND ROLLED OVER TO THE LEFT. WX AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT CONSISTED OF FREEZING TEMPS, FOG AND SNOW GRAINS. THE HELICOPTER WAS FOUND TO BE LOADED OVER THE MAX GROSS WEIGHT WHICH COMBINED WITH ICE ON THE ROTOR BLADES AND IN THE AIR INTAKE RESULTED IN A REDUCED POWER OUTPUT DURING THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF.

Full Narrative

THE PLT MADE AN EN ROUTE EMERGENCY LANDING DUE TO DETERIORATED WX. AFTER WAITING SOME PERIOD OF TIME, A TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED BUT THE HELICOPTER WAS UNABLE TO BECOME AIRBORNE. THE HELICOPTER BOUNCED DOWN HILLY TERRAIN AND ROLLED OVER TO THE LEFT. WX AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT CONSISTED OF FREEZING TEMPS, FOG AND SNOW GRAINS. THE HELICOPTER WAS FOUND TO BE LOADED OVER THE MAX GROSS WEIGHT WHICH COMBINED WITH ICE ON THE ROTOR BLADES AND IN THE AIR INTAKE RESULTED IN A REDUCED POWER OUTPUT DURING THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:10 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206BIII
Tail NumberN3185Z
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilliam Meyers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20J · Turboshaft · 317
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30°
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point14 C / 10 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data