The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this
accident as follows: Weather evaluation Inadequate - pilot in command; Airspeed
Inadequate - pilot in command; Altitude Inadequate - pilot in command
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The pilot, Terry Leadens (40) of Franktown Colorado died in the crash.
Later that day, several rescuers who had just arrived the previous night from California, would
have to be evacuated from the mountain due to altitude-related illnesses. Television pilot Silva
assisted with two of these evacuations as well.
The missing hiker was never found.
Overgross Miscalculation!
On June 25, 1994, rangers from Rocky Mountain National Park were conducting a rescue of a
fallen climber in the area of Hallett's Peak. While shuttling two additional rescuers to a helispot
reported to be between 11,800 feet and 12,460 feet, the Bell 206A helicopter crashed at 8:49 p.m.
(just before dark).
The accident investigation determined that the original load calculation was in error and a
new one was never completed following a refueling operation just prior to the accident. As
rescuers pushed to complete their mission prior to sunset, the pilot had attempted the high
altitude landing with a helicopter that was 700 lbs. overgross. As the pilot lost tail rotor
effectiveness, he augured the helicopter into the ground and fortunately all personnel
survived the crash.
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Do you have any oxygen you can throw down to them?
On June 26, 1994, the US Air Force 305
th
Rescue Squadron at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in
Tucson, Arizona, was responding to a rescue of a stranded hiker in the Sierra Ancha mountains.
Their HH-60G Blackhawk autorotated into the steep canyon, where it sustained significant
damage. The engine continued to run for an hour after the crash, and there was a small fire that
resulted as well.
The Air Force crew was assisting rescuers from Gila County Sheriff's Department Rescue Team.
An increased air temperature leading to high density altitude at the rescue site combined
with the confines of a steep narrow canyon allowed the recirculation of engine exhaust to
overheat the engine. Aircraft radio communication with ground personnel was hampered
by incompatibility between military and civilian equipment. Most notably the decision to
request a helicopter for this mission was later questioned by the Air Force, since the use of
the hoist is restricted to `life or death' situations.
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One crewmember was pinned between the helicopter and a boulder resulting in amputation of his
leg above the knee. Three other crewmembers received minor injuries. During the subsequent
rescue, a local television helicopter assisted by throwing down axes into the rocky ravine to aid
rescuers in the extrication. During that effort, radio traffic captured the pilot asking, "Do you guys
have any oxygen you can throw down to them?" Indeed oxygen cylinders were dropped, but
fortunately away from any rescuers.
