Bell 206L-1 N38Q

Summary

On 16 May 1993 at about 19:20 local time, a Bell 206L-1 registered N38Q, operated by Helicopters Adventures, Int'l, was involved in an accident near Mead, Colorado, United States. 7 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 May 1993 at 19:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Mead, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

40.2302, -104.9806

Aircraft

Bell 206L-1

Registration

N38Q

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Helicopters Adventures, Int'l

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Denver → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN93LA060

2 people had minor injuries.

A FAILURE BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. A FACTOR WAS: UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

AT THE COMPLETION OF A 20 MINUTE CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT WITH SEVEN PERSONS ON BOARD, AND AT A GROSS WEIGHT LESS THAN 50 POUNDS BELOW THE MAXIMUM, THE PILOT CONDUCTED AN APPROACH TO A HOVER. AS THE HELICOPTER APPROACHED A HOVER THE WIND REPORTEDLY SHIFTED AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN SPINNING TO THE RIGHT WITH FULL LEFT PEDAL APPLIED. AFTER SEVERAL TURNS, THE PILOT SECURED THE ENGINE WHILE IN A FIVE FOOT HOVERING RIGHT TURN. UPON GROUND CONTACT, A SKID CROSS TUBE FAILED IN OVERLOAD AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED ON ITS SIDE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.