Bell 206B accident near Bryce, UT
On December 1, 2001, a Bell 206B (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Bryce, UT. 3 people were seriously injured. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- December 1, 2001
- Place
- Bryce, UT
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 0 fatal, 3 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 37.640°N, 112.081°W
- NTSB ID
- 20011204X02354
NTSB summary
On December 1, 2001, approximately 1215 mountain standard time, a Bell 206B, N911KH, operated by Alladin Air Service as a nonscheduled domestic passenger sightseeing flight, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during a forced landing near Bryce, UT. The pilot and two passengers sustained serious injuries. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company VFR flight plan had been filed for the local flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 135. The flight originated at Bryce approximately 1215. According to the pilot's accident report, the helicopter was fueled to capacity the evening before, and the engine compartment was preheated before departure. His preflight inspection revealed no frost on the airframe and rotor blades. The particle separator was clean and dry. Engine start and takeoff were normal. After crossing a highway 1/2 mile south from the heliport, at an airspeed "in excess of 50 mph [and] at an altitude of approximately 50-70 feet," the engine "flamed out." There was a noticeable yaw and the pilot heard "the sound of the engine shutting off." He autorotated towards a highway right-of-way. The helicopter struck the ground hard and slid 20 to 30 feet. "Mast bumping" broke the rotor head off. It struck the rear of the helicopter, severing the tail section. The helicopter spun around and rolled over on its right side The passenger in the rear seat videotaped the flight, including the accident sequence, and a copy was made available for examination. As the helicopter sat on the helipad with its rotor blades turning, a male coul
Probable cause
loss of engine power for reasons undetermined. Contributing factors were the low airspeed and altitude at which to perform an autorotation.
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Browse: Utah · 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.
