# NTSB GAA19CA186: Bell 206, N83181, Valley Center, CA, March 29, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 29, 2019, 07:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Valley Center, CA - Coordinates: 33.317222, -117.043609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3172&lon=-117.0436&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor; on the ground: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report March 20, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99195 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA186 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99195/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99195 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA186 ## Probable cause The ground crew’s attachment of the load fill hose to the helicopter without telling the pilot, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Communication (personnel): lack of communication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Ground crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft servicing event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot reported that, during reloading operations for an agricultural spray flight and while boarding the helicopter, which was positioned on top of the loading truck's platform, he saw that the load fill hose was not connected to the helicopter. However, before starting the helicopter, and unknown to the pilot, the ground crew connected the hose. During takeoff, the helicopter rotated about 180º to the right, the helicopter's right skid struck the truck's hood, and the helicopter then rolled right and impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The helicopter pilot reported that, during the reloading operation for an agricultural spray flight, while boarding the helicopter positioned on top of the truck's platform, he saw that the load fill hose was not connected to the helicopter. However, prior to starting the helicopter, and unknown to the pilot, the groundcrew connected the hose. During takeoff, the helicopter rotated about 180º to the right, the helicopter's right skid struck the hood of the truck, the helicopter rolled to the right and impacted the terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83181](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83181-2020-01-03), registration cancelled 2020-01-03, S/N 1095, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206 (B) - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20b) (registry code 03081, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1095 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 26847 - Engines: Rolls Royce 250c20b 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Hummingbirds Inc - Registered owner: Hummingbirds Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 15, 2019 - Departed: Valley Center, CA - Destination: Valley Center, CA - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 28, 2017; seat: right; flight hours: 25,300 total, 9,000 in this make and model, 24,300 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 3 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KRNM, 18 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20190329002159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190329002159A), Mar 29, 2019: Bell 206B, Valley Center, CA, Destroyed. Pilot was doing an aerial application. He landed on top of his reloading truck. Pilot indicated that he attempted to lift off, prior to the reloading hose… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 16, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99195. 5.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476775&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476776&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- 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.