# NTSB LAX07CA072: Bell Helicopter 206BIII, N185BC, Springville, CA, January 19, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 19, 2007, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Springville, CA - Coordinates: 36.175834, -118.8125 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1758&lon=-118.8125&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 65175 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65175/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA072 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain terrain/obstacle clearance while maneuvering. Factors were the mountainous terrain, trees, and low-altitude flight maneuvers. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - low altitude flight/maneuver - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The helicopter collided with trees and terrain while maneuvering at low altitude in mountainous terrain. The pilot reported that he and two observation crewmembers were flying a mission for a state agency involving the aerial capture and radio collaring of deer in mountainous terrain, where the helicopter was required to be flown slightly above the tree tops. While they were looking for animals, the pilot flew toward the steep side of a north facing ridge and started flying a grid search pattern. At midslope, on an easterly heading, the pilot turned right facing upslope and into the sun. After completing the turn he maneuvered the helicopter into the shadow of the ridge, and then realized that there was not enough room to maneuver due to the proximity of the tree tops. The pilot attempted to slow the helicopter before the nose and main rotor contacted the trees. The helicopter came to rest on its right side, facing uphill. The main rotor hub and blades were located approximately 12 feet in front and to the right of the helicopter. ## Factual narrative The helicopter collided with trees and terrain while maneuvering at low altitude in mountainous terrain. The pilot reported that he and two observation crewmembers were flying a mission for a state agency involving the aerial capture and radio collaring of deer in mountainous terrain, where the helicopter was required to be flown slightly above the tree tops. While they were looking for animals, the pilot flew toward the steep side of a north facing ridge and started flying a grid search pattern. At midslope, on an easterly heading, the pilot turned right facing upslope and into the sun. After completing the turn he maneuvered the helicopter into the shadow of the ridge, and then realized that there was not enough room to maneuver due to the proximity of the tree tops. The pilot attempted to slow the helicopter before the nose and main rotor contacted the trees. The helicopter came to rest on its right side, facing uphill. The main rotor hub and blades were located approximately 12 feet in front and to the right of the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N185BC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N185BC-2007-04-03), registration cancelled 2007-04-03, S/N 3826, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell Helicopter 206BIII - Registry model: [Bell 206B-III](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b-iii) (registry code 1181506) (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: 3826 - Engines: Rolls Royce 250 C20B turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Palm Springs Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KPVT, Porterville, CA - Airport: KPTV, Porterville Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 17,455 total, 14,022 in this make and model, 205 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °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 20070119000369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070119000369A), Jan 19, 2007: Bell 206B3, Springville, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The helicopter was operating in mountainous terrain under contract to the state of California department of fish and game conducting low level wildlife… 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.