Bell 206-L1 N618DE

Summary

On 23 April 1997 at about 22:00 local time, a Bell 206-L1 registered N618DE, operated by Western Area Power Admin., was involved in an accident near Trinidad, Colorado, United States. One person was on board and one 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

23 April 1997 at 22:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Trinidad, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

37.1598, -104.5000

Aircraft

Bell 206-L1

Registration

N618DE

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Western Area Power Admin.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Las Vegas → Pueblo

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW97TA165

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. A factor was the tailwind condition and the pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During a VFR cross country flight from Farmington, New Mexico, to Ft. Collins, Colorado, while descending north of Raton Pass, the pilot encountered a low-lying cloud in his intended flight path. He initiated a right turn to avoid the cloud, and during the turn increased power to initiate a climb, to avoid the rising terrain off the right side of the helicopter. During the climbing right turn, the aircraft slowed and directional control was lost. The pilot stated that 'the aircraft began to spin to the right, with the addition of power increasing the rate of turn. I attempted to decrease power to slow my rate of turn to the right, which resulted in an increased rate of descent.' The aircraft impacted the ground while turning right and came to rest on its right side.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.