# NTSB LAX06LA288: Hughes 369D, N812CE, Somis, CA, September 6, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 6, 2006, 13:55 local (20:55 UTC) - Place: Somis, CA - Coordinates: 33.666667, -119.010276 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6667&lon=-119.0103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Southern Calif. Edison Company, Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 64479 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06LA288 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64479/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA288 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with wires. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, cruise - object - wire,transmission - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The utility company pilot and a power line inspector departed for an aerial observation patrol flight of company power lines. A ground-based witness, who was located north of the accident site, reported observing the helicopter fly into the power lines. The witness did not indicate that the helicopter took any evasive action prior to the collision. The helicopter came to rest about 200 feet north of the two severed power lines. The impacted power lines had been suspended from towers that were about 1,763 feet apart and had an east-to-west orientation. The helicopter's northerly impact course appeared nearly perpendicular to the orientation of the power lines, which were about 150 feet above ground level at the point of impact. ## Factual narrative On September 6, 2006, at 1355 Pacific daylight time, a Hughes 369D, N812CE, collided with power lines while cruising about 3 miles north-northwest of Somis, California. The helicopter was owned and operated by the Southern California Edison Company (SCEC), Ontario, California, and it was substantially damaged upon impacting the ground. The commercial pilot and the power line inspector, both SCEC employees, were killed. The aerial observation flight was performed under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Camarillo, California, at 1321. A ground-based witness, who was located north of the accident site, reported observing the helicopter fly into the power lines. The witness did not indicate that the helicopter took any evasive action prior to the collision. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator who responded to the accident site, the helicopter came to rest about 200 feet north of the severed power lines. SCEC representatives, who were participating in the Safety Board's investigation, reported that the impacted Edison Company power lines had been suspended from towers that were about 1,763 feet apart and had an east-to-west orientation. The helicopter's impact course appeared nearly perpendicular to the orientation of the power lines. SCEC personnel also reported that the impacted lines were located about 150 feet above ground level. SCEC personnel also reported that the accident occurred during a routine patrol flight. An examination of the Edison Company aluminum conductor steel reinforced wires was performed. Three of the wires exhibited impact damage, and two wires were severed. SCEC personnel submitted a report of the accident to the Safety Board investigator. In pertinent part, they stated the following: "SCE is unaware of any exigent circumstances which may have affected [the pilot's] physical, mental or psychological health on the date of the accident." An autopsy was performed by the County of Ventura Medical Examiner-Coroner, with specimens retained for toxicological analysis. No evidence of alcohol or screened drug substances was found during the toxicological tests. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N812CE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N812CE-2008-05-14), registration cancelled 2008-05-14, S/N 720D, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 369D - Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (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: 720D - Airframe hours: 8065 - Engines: Allison 250-C20 450 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Southern California Edison Company - Registered owner: So. California Edison Company - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 2006, 96 hours before - Departed: CMA, Camarillo, CA - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: fatal; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 11,900 total, 24 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: CMA, 7 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 20060906020269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060906020269A), Sep 6, 2006: Hughes 369D, Somis, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. (-23) The Hughes "500" helicopter, model HU-369-D, owned and operated by southern California edison, was performing routine powerline patrol on the "rainbow… 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.