Bell 206 accident near Meeker, Colorado, November 3, 2010
On November 3, 2010 at about 8:59 pm local time, a Bell 206 (helicopter), registered N8533F, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Meeker, Colorado. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from electrical power lines during the low-altitude flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 3, 2010 · about 8:59 pm local time
- Place
- Meeker, Colorado · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206 B · all 206s on the register
- Registration
- N8533F · registry record · serial 254
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter pilot was conducting a low-altitude pipeline patrol in a valley in a remote mountainous area. Two witnesses observed the helicopter flying toward them at a low altitude when the helicopter struck the wires of a three-phase electrical distribution line that was suspended 95 feet above the valley. The main rotor system separated from the helicopter in flight and came to rest about 200 feet from the main wreckage. The pilot stated that he never saw the wires, but that as he felt the impact, he knew immediately that he had struck wires. The on-scene investigation found no preimpact anomalies.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Awareness of condition
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Task monitoring/vigilance › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 15,800 hours in all; 12,500 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 30, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 26,040 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 23, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Mile High Helicopter Company
The flight
- Departed from: GJT Grand Junction CO at 5:56 pm
- Destination: EEO Meeker CO
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.50 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from KEEO, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N8533F the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.