# NTSB GAA19CA519: Bell 206, N218GH, San Diego, CA, August 27, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 27, 2019, 14:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: San Diego, CA - Coordinates: 32.82611, -116.972503 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8261&lon=-116.9725&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 17, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100170 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA519 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100170/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100170 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA519 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain yaw and pitch control while repositioning the helicopter, which resulted in dynamic rollover. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B-III, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1181506), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B-III, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=1181506), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B-III, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=1181506), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B-III, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=1181506), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after landing the helicopter on the landing platform, he decided to reposition it on the platform. He said that he increased the collective and that it "felt as if the nose was turning or yawing to the right." To correct the right yaw, he applied left pedal, but the helicopter continued moving right. The helicopter rolled to the right, the main rotor blades struck the ground, and the helicopter came to rest on its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main and tail rotor drive systems. 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, after landing on the helicopter landing platform, he decided to reposition the helicopter on the platform. He increased collective and, "felt as if the nose was turning or yawing to the right." To correct the right yaw he applied, "more left pedal but the aircraft continued in its movement." The helicopter rolled to the right and the main rotor blades struck the ground. The helicopter came to rest on its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main and tail rotor drive system. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N218GH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N218GH-2020-11-06), registration cancelled 2020-11-06, S/N 3470 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206 (B) - Registry model: [Bell 206B-III](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b-iii) (registry code 1181506) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3470 - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 15412 - Engines: Rolls Royce 250C20 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Angel City Air, Inc. - Registered owner: Helicopters Unlimited Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Other - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 8, 2019 - Departed: SEE, San Diego, CA - Destination: SEE, San Diego, CA - Airport: SEE, Gillespie Field - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 10, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,313 total, 392 in this make and model, 2,238 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: KSEE ## 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 20190827014749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190827014749A), Aug 27, 2019: Bell 206B-III, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot of N218GH made an approach to landing on a helicopter landing platform. Immediately after touchdown, the pilot recognized that the helicopter was… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 9, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100170. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479769&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479770&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.