# NTSB LAX82DA264: Bell 204, N910PD, Delano, CA, July 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1982, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Delano, CA
- Location: 35.7664° N, 119.2642° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Delano, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7664&lon=-119.2642&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70442
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA264
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70442/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA264

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS SPRAYING FOR MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT FLIES WITH ANOTHER ACFT. ENTERING A "SCISSORS" OR OPPOSITE DIRECTION PATTERN WITH THE SECOND HELICOPTER SPRAYING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, THE PLT HAD TO SLOW DOWN IN ORDER TO BEGIN HIS SWATH AT THE COMPLETION OF THE OTHER'S RUN. FURTHER REDUCING SPEED TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE, THE PLT LOST TRANSLATIONAL LIFT IN THE PREVAILING TAILWIND. INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE REMAINED TO RECOVER HIS LOSS OF RPM & THE ACFT SETTLED INTO THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N910PD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N910PD-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 62-1954, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 204
- Registry model: [Bell UH-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-uh-1b) (registry code 1181410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming T-53 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t-53-series) (registry code 41552, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 62-1954
- Airframe hours: 8839
- Engines: LYCOMING T53-11D 1100 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: San Joaquin Helicopters
- Registered owner: San Joaquin Helicopters
- Departed: 7CA0, BERRENDA MESA, CA
- Destination: 7CA0, BERRENDA MESA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,150 total, 1,260 in this make and model, 2,265 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 223 °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 19820718032169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820718032169A), Jul 18, 1982: Bell UH1B, Delano, CA, Destroyed. Helicopter crashed when translational lift was lost due to high temperature and wake turbulence.

## Other investigations on N910PD (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX86DVA06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86DVA06), Apr 16, 1986: Bell UH-1B (N910PD), Chowchilla, CA, destroyed

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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