# NTSB LAX04LA281: Bell 206B, N549W, Little Valley, CA, July 26, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 26, 2004, 14:21 local (21:21 UTC) - Place: Little Valley, CA - Coordinates: 40.836666, -121.100555 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8367&lon=-121.1006&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59758 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04LA281 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59758/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA281 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from objects and terrain while maneuvering at low altitude. Factors in the accident were the high, rising terrain, and the high density altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor) - low altitude flight/maneuver - intentional, pilot in command - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The helicopter collided with trees and terrain while the pilot maneuvered at a low altitude, under high density altitude conditions, and over rising mountainous terrain. The purpose of the aerial survey flight was to provide a California Department of Forestry passenger with an aerial mapping opportunity around active fire areas in the Lassen National Park. The pilot indicated that his specific mission on the flight was to maneuver the helicopter over a route that would provide the front seat passenger an opportunity to accurately mark global positioning satellite (GPS) waypoints around the fire area. Initially, the pilot flew at 6,500 feet mean sea level (msl), but when the passenger started marking waypoints, the pilot descended to 5,500 feet msl. The pilot further indicated that during the flight he made several turns. Just prior to the crash, he flew in a southerly, and then a northerly direction. When he next turned, to an east-southeasterly direction, he raised the collective, observed his proximity to the fire line, and directed his attention to a hill that he was approaching. The pilot indicated that he had expected to be higher than the top of the hill, but he was lower. At this time, despite his efforts to increase altitude, the helicopter impacted trees and terrain. According to ground-based witnesses, the helicopter had been maneuvering between 50 and 75 feet above ground level, in a downwind direction, over 5,100-foot mean sea level upsloping terrain, toward the crest of the mountain. The surface wind was from the north-northeast, about 10 knots. The temperature was almost 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The witnesses further reported that the helicopter's engine was operating until it impacted trees, about 20 feet beneath the mountain crest. ## Factual narrative On July 26, 2004, about 1421 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206B, N549W, collided with trees and terrain while maneuvering about 4.9 nautical miles southeast of Little Valley, California. The helicopter was operated by Aris Helicopter, Ltd., Moffett Field, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the aerial survey flight for the California Department of Forestry (CDF), and a company flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged during the impact sequence and was subsequently destroyed in the post impact forest fire. The commercial pilot and one passenger were seriously injured; the second passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from Fall River Mills, California, about 1402. According to the CDF Aviation Safety Officer who responded to the accident site, the purpose of the flight was to provide the two CDF passengers with an aerial mapping opportunity around active fire areas in the Lassen National Park. Ground-based witnesses observed the helicopter flying between 50 and 75 feet above ground level, in a downwind direction, over the 5,100-foot mean sea level (msl) upsloping terrain. The surface wind was from the north-northeast, about 10 knots. The helicopter was flying on a southwesterly course, toward the crest of a mountain. The temperature was almost 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The witnesses further reported that the helicopter's engine was operating until it impacted trees, about 20 feet beneath the mountain crest. The pilot indicated that his specific mission on the accident flight was to maneuver the helicopter over a route that would provide the front seat passenger the opportunity to accurately mark global positioning satellite (GPS) waypoints around the perimeter of the fire area. Initially, the pilot flew at 6,500 feet msl, but when the passenger started marking waypoints, the pilot descended to 5,500 feet msl. The pilot further indicated that during the flight he made several turns. Just prior to the crash, he flew in a southerly and then a northerly direction. The pilot reported that when he turned to an east-southeasterly direction, he "pulled in as much collective as [he] could...," and he observed his proximity to the fire line. Thereafter, he directed his attention to a hill that he was approaching. The pilot indicated that he had expected to be higher than the top of the hill, but he was lower. At this time, despite his efforts to increase altitude, the helicopter impacted trees and terrain. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N549W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N549W-2006-12-11), registration cancelled 2006-12-11, S/N 2604, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206B - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2604 - Airframe hours: 9641 - Engines: Allison 250-C20B 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Registered owner: Aris Helicopter, Ltd. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 2004, 52 hours before - Departed: O89, Fall RiverMills, CA - Destination: O89 - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: serious; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 1, 2004; seat: right; flight hours: 2,549 total, 795 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 104 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F ## 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 20040726016599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040726016599A), Jul 26, 2004: Bell 206B, Little Valley, CA, Destroyed. (-23) The helicopter collided with trees and terrain while cruising about 4.9 miles southeast of Little Valley CA. Ground based witnesses observed the… 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.