# NTSB LAX08CA018: Bell 206L-1, N412KK, Ramona, CA, October 25, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 25, 2007, 10:35 local (17:35 UTC) - Place: Ramona, CA - Coordinates: 33.0416666666667, -116.966666666667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0417&lon=-116.9667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66973 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66973/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA018 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control and correct a descent and a loss of tail rotor effectiveness while maneuvering at a low altitude and reduced airspeed. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - low altitude flight/maneuver - intentional, pilot in command - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - loss of tail rotor effectiveness - not corrected, pilot in command (cause) - descent - not corrected, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) - Roll over, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis The helicopter was flying at 100 feet agl and between 40 and 60 knots to assess damage to utility equipment from a recent wild fire in the area. While rolling out of a turn at 100 feet agl, the pilot noticed a reduction in airspeed. He said that he felt resistance on the controls as he applied forward cyclic and raised the collective in attempt to regain the desired airspeed and altitude. The helicopter responded by assuming a nose-high attitude. The pilot stated that a high power setting was needed to maintain altitude. The helicopter started to yaw to the right, which the pilot opined was due to the onset of loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE). He reduced power to counteract the LTE and the helicopter started to descend. The pilot decided to execute a precautionary landing. During the landing, the helicopter impacted trees and came to rest on it's left side. An FAA inspector responded to the accident site, examined the wreckage, and noted no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter or the control system. ## Factual narrative On October 25, 2007, about 1035 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 206L-1, N412KK, collided with trees and rolled over following a loss of control while maneuvering near Ramona, California. Blackhawk Helicopters, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 during the aerial observation flight. The commercial pilot and three passengers were not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The local flight departed Ramona Airport, Ramona, about 1000. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan had been filed. In a written report to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot stated the flight was conducted to assess fire damage to utility assets from a recent fire in San Diego County. The operation required slow flight at low altitudes with many turns and course reversals. The pilot further stated, while rolling out of a turn at 100 feet agl, he noticed a reduction in airspeed. He applied forward cyclic and raised the collective in attempt to reach the desired airspeed and altitude. He noted feeling resistance to the forward cyclic movement. The helicopter responded by positioning into a nose high attitude. The pilot stated that a high power setting was needed to maintain altitude. The helicopter started to yaw to the right, which the pilot opined was due to the onset of loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE). He reduced power to counteract the LTE and the helicopter started to descend. The pilot decided to execute a precautionary landing. During the landing, the helicopter impacted trees and came to rest on it's left side. An FAA inspector responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. He noted no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N412KK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N412KK), registered now, S/N 45277 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206L-1 - Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 45277 - Engines: Allison 250-C28B 435 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Registered owner: Blackhawk Helicopters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: RNM, Ramona, CA - Destination: RNM, Ramona, CA - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: RNM, Ramona Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 2,800 total, 620 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: RNM, 3 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 20071025827479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071025827479A), Oct 25, 2007: Bell 206L1, Ramona, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Helicopter was on a damage evaluation flight over the west Ramona area following the California wild fires. Pilot and 3 utility company observers were… 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.