# NTSB investigations: Allison 250-C20 series, CA NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports. ## Latest cases - [NTSB WPR23LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA004.md): Bell 206B · Fresno, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 1, 2022 · N284CA · Substantial damage > The disbond of a tail rotor drive shaft splined adapter, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor drive and a subsequent hard landing. - [NTSB WPR22LA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA236.md): Bell 206B · Merced, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 24, 2022 · N915B · Substantial damage > The in-flight failure of the engine-to-transmission drive shaft due to a fatigue fracture of one of the KAflex flex frames caused by a loose bolt, which resulted in a total loss of power to the transmission and a subsequent hard landing. - [NTSB WPR22FA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA101.md): Mcdonnell Douglas 500N · Newport Beach, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 20, 2022 · N521HB · Substantial damage > The helicopter’s encounter with unanticipated right yaw during a low-altitude, low-airspeed, tight-radius orbit. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction during the orbit, which resulted in the loss of control, his fatigue due to his early… - [NTSB WPR19LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA135.md): Bell 206 · Oxnard, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 4, 2019 · N49643 · Substantial damage > The pilot’s inability to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering at a low altitude due to reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence. - [NTSB WPR18LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA226.md): Hughes 369 · Riverside, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 17, 2018 · N105JL · Substantial damage > The instructor’s delayed remedial action to an excessive descent rate during a simulated autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. - [NTSB GAA18CA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA117.md): Hughes Helicopters 369 · Wrightwood, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 1, 2018 · N618SG · Substantial damage > The pilot’s high altitude, high gross weight landing with insufficient tail rotor thrust resulting in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. - [NTSB GAA17CA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA218.md): Bell 206 · La Verne, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 6, 2017 · N206SA · Substantial damage > The pilot’s early increased application of the collective during a simulated hovering autorotation, which resulted in a loss of rotor rpm and subsequent main rotor blade strike of the tailboom. - [NTSB WPR14CA363](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA363.md): Hughes 369D · Willows, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 2, 2014 · N516PJ · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to adequately secure cargo (a jacket), which resulted in the jacket exiting the cabin compartment and colliding with the tail rotor during cruise flight. - [NTSB WPR13LA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA358.md): Bell 206B · Chualar, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 4, 2013 · N90146 · Substantial damage > Maintenance personnel's failure to properly tighten the bolts securing the main driveshaft to the transmission, which resulted in fatigue failure of the bolts and disconnection of the driveshaft during low-altitude flight. - [NTSB WPR10TA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10TA025.md): Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 500N · Los Alamitos, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Oct 16, 2009 · N521HB · Substantial damage > The flight instructor's delayed remedial action during the instructional autorotative landing, which resulted in a failure to maintain an adequate rotor rpm to avoid a hard landing. - [NTSB SEA07CA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA139.md): Hughes 369D · Torrance, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 29, 2007 · N935M · Substantial damage > The pilot's loss of helicopter control while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a hard landing. The wind gusts were a contributing factor. - [NTSB LAX07CA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA072.md): Bell Helicopter 206BIII · Springville, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 19, 2007 · N185BC · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain/obstacle clearance while maneuvering. Factors were the mountainous terrain, trees, and low-altitude flight maneuvers. - [NTSB LAX06LA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA288.md): Hughes 369D · Somis, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 2006 · N812CE · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with wires. - [NTSB LAX06LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA161.md): Bell 206B3 · Fallbrook, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 4, 2006 · N2763R · Substantial damage > Failure of the engine to transmission drive shaft forward coupling due to overheating from lack of lubrication. The cause of the lack of lubrication was a result of improper maintenance. A factor was the trees. - [NTSB LAX06LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA015.md): Hughes 369D · Avalon, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 19, 2005 · N268ST · Substantial damage > the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout and obstacle clearance altitude, which resulted in a collision with power lines. Factors in the accident were the position of the sun relative to the helicopter's flight path, which lessoned the… - [NTSB LAX05LA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA289.md): Bell 206B · Long Beach, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 5, 2005 · N667JM · Substantial damage > the pilot's decision not to release the banner when it became entangled on itself, which resulted in the banner tow rope becoming ensnarled with the tail rotor system. - [NTSB LAX02GA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02GA209.md): McDonnell Douglas 369E · Ontario, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Jun 25, 2002 · N40NT · Destroyed > The mechanic's improper maintenance procedures (FOD prevention) during a 100-hour inspection, which resulted in foreign object damage (FOD) to the compressor section and catastrophic engine failure. Factors were the presence of vehicles and power lines… - [NTSB LAX01LA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA305.md): Hughes 369D · Carlsbad, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 23, 2001 · N268ST · Substantial damage > A hard landing due to the dual student's failure to maintain main rotor speed, his improper landing flare, and the flight control interference by the flight instructor. - [NTSB LAX01IA262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01IA262.md): Mdhi 520N · Los Angeles, CA · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jul 25, 2001 · N953SD · Minor damage > the excitation of the first bending mode natural frequency of the aft tube assembly that is installed through the rotating NOTAR fan drive system. Contributing factors to the incident included the operator's maintenance practice of hand-sanding the pitch… - [NTSB LAX01FA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01FA006.md): McDonnell Douglas 369E · Kernville, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 8, 2000 · N819CE · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper storage of personal items and his inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in the unlatching of the left rear cabin door during flight and allowing a plastic garment bag to blow out and strike the tail rotor. - [NTSB LAX00TA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00TA186.md): McDonnell Douglas 500N · Los Angeles, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · May 8, 2000 · N955SD · Substantial damage > The combined failure of the operator management and the check pilot to ensure the landing area was suitable for the slide on landing. Factors were the high vegetation that entangled the skids, resulting in the abrupt stop and nose down movement of the… - [NTSB LAX00LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA047.md): Boeing 369E · Taft, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 30, 1999 · N5238C · Substantial damage > The fatigue failure of a second stage compressor vane due to erosion, which resulted in a catastrophic engine failure. An inadequate inspection of the compressor section by company maintenance personnel during the last 300-hour inspection was also causal in… - [NTSB LAX00GA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00GA025.md): McDonnell Douglas 500N · San Jose, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Oct 25, 1999 · N904PD · Destroyed > The pilot's in-flight loss of control due to the failure and separation of the forward thruster control cable telescoping sleeve ball swivel fitting, which resulted in a stuck thruster and the entry into an uncontrollable yaw/spin. Also causal was the… - [NTSB LAX00LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA016.md): Bell 206-B3 · Soda Springs, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 18, 1999 · N2296N · Substantial damage > The failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain landing skid clearance during hover taxi, which resulted in a dynamic rollover. - [NTSB LAX99LA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA237.md): Hiller UH-12ET · Williams, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 30, 1999 · N7173F · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and verification that fuel was available for the intended flight. A factor was the fuel quantity false indication. - [NTSB LAX99LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA116.md): Bell 206B · Delhi, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 10, 1999 · N901CA · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance while landing in proximity to high vegetation, which resulted in the inadvertent contact of the spray boom to the trees. - [NTSB LAX98TA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98TA123.md): Bell 206B · Santa Clarita, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Mar 20, 1998 · N3186L · Substantial damage > The failure of the pilot to maintain adequate clearance with the wires. Additional factors in this accident are the position of the sun at that time of the day, which made it difficult to see the wires, and the lack of markings or poles for that series of… - [NTSB LAX97GA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97GA105.md): McDonnell Douglas 369D · Santee, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Feb 17, 1997 · N5200Y · Substantial damage > Spatial disorientation and temporary visual impairment that led to a loss of aircraft control as result of difficulty to light adaptivity. Contributing was the crew coordination and inadequate night flight recurrency training. - [NTSB LAX95FA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95FA339.md): Bell 206L-1 · Irvine, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 20, 1995 · N700TH · Destroyed > the pilot's intentional VFR flight into IMC conditions and failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude, and the local controller's improper use of ATC procedure/technique. Factors in the accident were the helicopter's low fuel state and lack of… - [NTSB LAX93LA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA319.md): Hiller UH-12E · Dixon, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 11, 1993 · N100LM · Destroyed > the failure of the pilot to visually detect and avoid the guy wire. - [NTSB LAX93LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA044.md): Hughes 369D · Carlsbad, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 1992 · N220AL · Substantial damage > Failure of the overrunning clutch assembly bearing for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB LAX92T#A05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92T%23A05.md): McDonnell Douglas 369E · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report · May 12, 1992 · N16069 · Substantial damage - [NTSB LAX92FA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA088.md): Bell 206BIII · Crockett, CA · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 11, 1992 · N95AT · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain vigilant watch for obstructions while intentionally cruising slowly at a low altitude. A factor was the power line was supported by distant towers, and the line was not conspicuous. - [NTSB LAX91LA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA289.md): Hughes 369D · Napa, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 5, 1991 · N18KJ · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain the proper altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper in flight decision to fly in the below VFR weather conditions and his misjudged weather evaluation. - [NTSB LAX91TL#01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91TL%2301.md): McDonnell Douglas 369E · Los Alamitos, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Nov 6, 1990 · N241JH · Substantial damage - [NTSB LAX90LA298](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA298.md): Bell 206B · California City, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 22, 1990 · N250CA · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage > The failure of the helicopter pilot to maintain adequate clearance from the jump aircraft. A factor in the accident was the inability of the jump aircraft pilot to maintain visual contact with the helicopter. - [NTSB LAX90FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA060.md): McDonnell Douglas 369E · Santa Rosa, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 29, 1989 · N1604L · Destroyed > The pilot's improper preflight planning/decision which resulted in the loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Contributing to the accident was the pilot allowing the maximum gross weight of the aircraft to be exceeded, and the tailwind. - [NTSB LAX89LA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA297.md): Bell 206B · Murrieta, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 1989 · N111JG · Substantial damage > A partial loss of engine power due to contaminates in the fuel control unit. The origin of the contaminates was not determined. Contributing factor(s) was: the helicopter was not equipped with floats. - [NTSB LAX89LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA141.md): Hughes 369D · Vallejo, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 31, 1989 · N5108E · Substantial damage > Fatigue failure of a defective pc tube assembly resulting in a loss of engine power. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain. - [NTSB LAX89FA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA136.md): Aerospatiale AS-355-F · Bear Valley, CA · Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 26, 1989 · N84MH · Substantial damage > Improper in-flight planning/decision by the pilot, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control during a slow speed, downwind approach to a high altitude stolport. Contributing factors were: high density altitude, tailwind, improper weather evaluation by the… - [NTSB LAX88LA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA322.md): Hughes 369HS · Columbia, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 1988 · N9110F · Substantial damage > During an external load operation, there was an indication of high torque and the oil chip light illuminated. The engine lost power and the pilot initiated an autorotation. The helicopter collided with the sloping terrain and rolled over. Inspection of the… - [NTSB LAX87FA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA173.md): Hughes 369E · Palm Desert, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 11, 1987 · N5200W · Substantial damage > The helicopter dscndd uncontrolled & crashed in a residential area. After the acdnt, the plt said he agreed to orbit the residence of his pax. At the aprx 135 deg point of a left orbit, he felt 'a bang & severe vibration in the tail.' The plt lost drctnl ctl… - [NTSB LAX87DUM01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DUM01.md): Bell UH-1B · Calipatria, CA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Dec 1, 1986 · N2770N · Substantial damage > During the initial climb at the beginning of an aerial application flight, the pilot made a climbing 180 degree right turn in the reverse direction when the rotor RPM began to drop. The pilot continued to raise collective, lost directional control and… - [NTSB LAX86MA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86MA311.md): Bell 206B · Alamo, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Aug 3, 1986 · N49606 · Destroyed > Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter circle twice over a residence at an alt of aprx 50' AGL. Upon initiating the third turn the helicopter entered an abrupt 90 deg bank and nosed down to impact with the terrain. Exam of the helicopter failed to reveal… - [NTSB LAX86LA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA155.md): Bell 206B · Huntington Bch, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 23, 1986 · N49643 · Substantial damage > A Bell 206B collided with a berm after an eng failure while departing a helipad. The plt indicated he had just departed the helipad at night and at aprx 50 ft AGL the eng failed. The acft vertical fin hit the berm causing the tail boom to bend aft of the… - [NTSB LAX85LA403](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA403.md): Hughes 369D · Porterville, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 25, 1985 · N29707 · Destroyed > After climbing to a cruise alt of 13500 ft MSL to cross the sierra Nevada mountains, south of mt whitney, the plt entered cruise flt at an indicated airspeed of aprx 120 to 130 KTS. The plt's flt manual lists 110 KTS as the velocity velocity to never exceed… - [NTSB LAX85FA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA199.md): Hiller UH12J3 · Klamath, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 12, 1985 · N545HA · Destroyed > The helicopter was returning to a private landing pad after a reconaisance flight prior to sprating. At about 10FT AGL after flaring and leveling the pilot could not control a drift and roll to the left. The rotor blades struck the ground within about one… - [NTSB LAX85FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA036.md): Bell 206B · Beaumont, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 31, 1984 · N20DB · Destroyed > Approximately one min before the accident the pilot contacted the tower at norton air force base for clearance through their traffic area. He reported initially that he was at 300 ft AGL. Seconds later he transmitted that he was at 100 ft over the freeway.… - [NTSB OAK79DVG13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79DVG13.md): Hughes 369C · Montague, CA · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Feb 16, 1979 · N8696F · Substantial damage ## The whole list in SQL Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS: ```sql SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('03020')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?engine=03020&state=CA --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.