Bell 206B3 accident near Lamoille, NV
On April 3, 1994, a Bell 206B3 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Lamoille, NV. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 3, 1994
- Place
- Lamoille, NV
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B3 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 4 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 40.760°N, 115.411°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X01169
Official records · SEA94FA096
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Attachment Ct-1-Communication Transcript: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 3, 1994, approximately 1636 hours Pacific daylight time (PDT), a Bell 206B3 helicopter, N27736, registered to/operated by El Aero Services, Inc., was destroyed during collision with terrain, following a loss of power shortly after takeoff from an intermediate landing site located approximately five nautical miles east of Lamoille, Nevada. The commercial pilot, seated in the right-front seat, was fatally injured, as were the two passengers seated in the center-rear and left-rear seats. The left-front seat passenger, a ski guide, sustained serious injuries, and later expired on April 12, 1994. The passenger seated in the right-rear seat sustained serious injuries. Variable meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed, although company flight following was in effect. The flight, which was engaged in heli-ski operations, was to have been conducted in accordance with 14CFR135. The aircraft, and a sister Bell 206L3, N3185A, being flown by the Director of Operations for El Aero, had been carrying skiers into the Ruby Mountains during the day. At 1402, N3185A (85A) departed for the Hoonie pickup landing zone to retrieve skiers due to a "fast moving storm." N27736 (736) was to also proceed to Hoonie for the same purpose (refer to Ruby Mountain Heli-ski dispatch log transcription, ATTACHMENT CT-I). At 1410, 85A radioed lifting off from Hoonie with three skiers. At 1414, 736 (having picked up the guide and remaining three skiers) radioed lifting off from Hoonie, that contact with the valley had been lost, a
Probable cause
THE INGESTION OF FOREIGN MATERIAL (SNOW) IN THE ENGINE, WHICH RESULTED IN A FLAMEOUT (LOSS OF ENGINE POWER). FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS (SNOW FALLING & HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE), THE LACK OF SNOW COVERS TO PROTECT THE ENGINE INTAKES WHILE PARKED AND AWAITING FOR THE WEATHER CONDITIONS TO IMPROVE, IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND THE COMPANY/OPERATO
More accidents in NV
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Browse: Nevada · Bell aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
