# NTSB LAX00LA016: Bell 206-B3, N2296N, Soda Springs, CA, October 18, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1999, 11:22 local (18:22 UTC)
- Place: Soda Springs, CA
- Coordinates: 39.319942, -120.399574 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3199&lon=-120.3996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 17, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 47598
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47598/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA016

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain landing skid clearance during hover taxi, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Roll over, taxi - aerial
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,skid assembly - snagged
  - lowering of collective - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - dynamic rollover - encountered

## Analysis

The helicopter was engaged in external load transport for an electric utility company project.  After completing the external load operation, the pilot released the external load apparatus and landed.  Before the engine was shut down; however, a ground crewman signaled the pilot to reposition the helicopter a short distance away.  While lifting to hover taxi, the landing gear skid either stuck to the ground or hooked on an object and a dynamic rollover resulted.

## Factual narrative

On October 18, 1999, at 1122 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206-B3, N2296N, was substantially damaged when the helicopter rolled on its side and impacted the ground while hover taxiing to reposition the helicopter in a remote location 7 miles northwest of Soda Springs, California.  The commercial pilot received minor injuries.  Westwind helicopters, Inc., operated the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 133.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight.  No flight plan was filed.

According to the operator, the helicopter was engaged in external load transport for a Pacific Gas and Electric Company project, operating under 14 CFR Part 133.  After completing the external load operation, the pilot released the external load apparatus and landed.  Before the engine was shut down; however, a ground crewman signaled the pilot to reposition the helicopter a short distance away.  While lifting to hover taxi, the landing gear skid either stuck to the ground or hooked on an object and the aircraft rolled over on its right side.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2296N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2296N-2003-03-11), registration cancelled 2003-03-11, S/N 3575, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 206-B3
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3575
- Airframe hours: 8065
- Engines: Allison 250C-20J 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: Westwind Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 17, 1999, 30 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,400 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 5,300 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRK, 16 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 19991018029079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991018029079A), Oct 18, 1999: Bell 206B, Soda Springs, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On October 18, 1999, at 1122 hours pacific daylight time, a Bell BHT-206-B, N2296N, was substantially damaged when the helicopter rolled on its side and…

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.

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