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NTSB Report
December 31, 1984 · Bell 206-L3 · N3898Y
Jackson, WY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 31, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 4 uninjured
Location
Jackson, WY
Aircraft
Bell 206-L3
Tail Number
N3898Y
Operator
Queen City Helicopters
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN85LA053
PLT HAD LANDED ON PREPARED AREA (SNOW PACKED DOWN BY HELI SKI GUIDE) TO EMBARK SKI PASSENGERS. ON DEPARTURE PLT LIFTED TO HOVER, TURNED TO DESIRED HDG AND INITIATED FORWARD TRANSITION. AS ACFT PASSED BOUNDRY OF PACKED SNOW, ROTOR WASH PICKED UP SOFT LOOSE SNOW, OBSCURING VISUAL REFERENCES. ACFT HAD NOT ACHIEVED TRANSLATIONAL LIFT AND ENGINE WAS AT MAX TORQUE OUTPUT, NEGATING CLIMB. PLT ATTEMPTED TO 'SET ACFT DOWN' BUT RUN-ON LANDING RESULTED. DUE TO EXCESS FORWARD SPEED AND SOFT SNOW, ACFT NOSED OVER.
Full Narrative
PLT HAD LANDED ON PREPARED AREA (SNOW PACKED DOWN BY HELI SKI GUIDE) TO EMBARK SKI PASSENGERS. ON DEPARTURE PLT LIFTED TO HOVER, TURNED TO DESIRED HDG AND INITIATED FORWARD TRANSITION. AS ACFT PASSED BOUNDRY OF PACKED SNOW, ROTOR WASH PICKED UP SOFT LOOSE SNOW, OBSCURING VISUAL REFERENCES. ACFT HAD NOT ACHIEVED TRANSLATIONAL LIFT AND ENGINE WAS AT MAX TORQUE OUTPUT, NEGATING CLIMB. PLT ATTEMPTED TO 'SET ACFT DOWN' BUT RUN-ON LANDING RESULTED. DUE TO EXCESS FORWARD SPEED AND SOFT SNOW, ACFT NOSED OVER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206-L3
Tail NumberN3898Y
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorQueen City Helicopters
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C30P · Turboshaft · 317
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 4 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured4
Total6
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point23 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO