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NTSB Report
March 1, 1982 · Bell 206B III · N580P
Alma, CO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 1, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Alma, CO
Aircraft
Bell 206B III
Tail Number
N580P
Operator
Public Service Co Of
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN82DA037
The pilot reported that before the accident, the flight had been uneventful and all instruments were reading normal except the TOT gauge. Reportedly, it was indicating 750 degrees, which was about 100 degrees higher than normal for his power setting of 70% torque. He stated he was flying at 70 knots when the helicopter started losing RPM. The passenger stated that they were about 200 to 300 ft above a ridge as they were flying southwest. The passenger reported that after they crossed the ridge, the helicopter began losing altitude fast. According to the pilot, they were coming up on a ridge line, when the RPM began dropping; however, he was unable to decelerate enough to land on top of the ridge. The helicopter came in contact with the ground on the south-southwest side of the ridge line and crashed. Examination of the engine revealed the air bleed valve was dirty and had a hole in the diaphragm. In this condition, the valve would close late. The elevation was about 12,000 ft MSL, wind gusting 30 knots.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE FLIGHT HAD BEEN UNEVENTFUL AND ALL INSTRUMENTS WERE READING NORMAL EXCEPT THE TOT GAUGE. REPORTEDLY, IT WAS INDICATING 750 DEGREES, WHICH WAS ABOUT 100 DEGREES HIGHER THAN NORMAL FOR HIS POWER SETTING OF 70% TORQUE. HE STATED HE WAS FLYING AT 70 KNOTS WHEN THE HELICOPTER STARTED LOOSING RPM. THE PASSENGER STATED THAT THEY WERE ABOUT 200 TO 300 FT ABOVE A RIDGE AS THEY WERE FLYING SOUTHWEST. THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT AFTER THEY CROSSED THE RIDGE, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE FAST. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THEY WERE COMING UP ON A RIDGE LINE, WHEN THE RPM BEGAN DROPPING; HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO DECELERATE ENOUGH TO LAND ON TOP OF THE RIDGE. THE HELICOPTER CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE GROUND ON THE SOUTH-SOUTHWEST SIDE OF THE RIDGE LINE AND CRASHED. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE AIR BLEED VALVE WAS DIRTY AND HAD A HOLE IN THE DIAPHRAGM. IN THIS CONDITION, THE VALVE WOULD CLOSE LATE. THE ELEVATION WAS ABOUT 12,000 FT MSL, WIND GUSTING 30 KNOTS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:30 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B III
Tail NumberN580P
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPublic Service Co Of
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 317
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 20 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg