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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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September 10, 1983 · Bell 206L-1 · N3900Q

Price, UT

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 10, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Price, UT
Aircraft
Bell 206L-1
Tail Number
N3900Q
Operator
Air Services Int L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN83FA217

THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH AN 800 LB SLING LOAD & USED 100% TORQUE TO EXPEDITE CLEARING POWER LINES. WHEN CLEAR OF THE LINES, HE STARTED A CLIMBING TURN & REDUCED THE TORQUE TO ABOUT 80%. AT APRX 300 FT AGL & 50 TO 60 KTS, THE ENG BEGAN SURGING WHICH CAUSED THE HELICOPTER TO YAW REPEATEDLY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ENG LOST POWER & THE PLT RELEASED HIS LOAD & MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A WOODED AREA. HE USED THE COLLECTIVE TO EXTEND HIS FLT TO AN OPEN AREA. HE REACHED THE INTENDED TOUCHDOWN SPOT, BUT 'RAN OUT OF PITCH & MADE A HARD LANDING.' THE HELICOPTER ROLLED TO THE RIGHT & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND. AN EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER & ENG REVEALED NO REASON FOR THE LOSS OF POWER. THE DENSITY ALT OF THE CRASH SITE WAS COMPUTED TO BE 11,093 FT. THE HELICOPTER HAD AN ALLISON 250-C30P ENG WHICH HAD RECENTLY BEEN INSTALLED PER STC SH296NM. THE FLT MANUAL WARNED THAT WITH THIS ENG INSTALLED, BOTH FUEL BOOST PUMPS SHALL BE ON DURING ENG OPERATION. THE ENG OPERATED NORMALLY DURING A FUNCTIONAL CHECK.

Full Narrative

THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH AN 800 LB SLING LOAD & USED 100% TORQUE TO EXPEDITE CLEARING POWER LINES. WHEN CLEAR OF THE LINES, HE STARTED A CLIMBING TURN & REDUCED THE TORQUE TO ABOUT 80%. AT APRX 300 FT AGL & 50 TO 60 KTS, THE ENG BEGAN SURGING WHICH CAUSED THE HELICOPTER TO YAW REPEATEDLY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ENG LOST POWER & THE PLT RELEASED HIS LOAD & MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A WOODED AREA. HE USED THE COLLECTIVE TO EXTEND HIS FLT TO AN OPEN AREA. HE REACHED THE INTENDED TOUCHDOWN SPOT, BUT 'RAN OUT OF PITCH & MADE A HARD LANDING.' THE HELICOPTER ROLLED TO THE RIGHT & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND. AN EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER & ENG REVEALED NO REASON FOR THE LOSS OF POWER. THE DENSITY ALT OF THE CRASH SITE WAS COMPUTED TO BE 11,093 FT. THE HELICOPTER HAD AN ALLISON 250-C30P ENG WHICH HAD RECENTLY BEEN INSTALLED PER STC SH296NM. THE FLT MANUAL WARNED THAT WITH THIS ENG INSTALLED, BOTH FUEL BOOST PUMPS SHALL BE ON DURING ENG OPERATION. THE ENG OPERATED NORMALLY DURING A FUNCTIONAL CHECK.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206L-1
Tail NumberN3900Q
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAir Services Int L
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C30P · Turboshaft · 650
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 15 kt, gusting 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data