# NTSB LAX83FA154: Bell 206 B III, N8163J, Salinas, CA, March 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1983, 13:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Salinas, CA
- Location: 36.6902° N, 121.6338° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Salinas, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6902&lon=-121.6338&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23439
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23439/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA154

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PURPOSE OF FLT WAS TO TRANSPORT A TECHNICIAN & HIS EQUIPMENT TO A MOUNTAIN TOP TO SERVICE A MICROWAVE ANTENNA SITE. CLOUD COVERAGE PRECLUDED A LANDING AT THE SITE, BUT THE PLT WAS ABLE TO LAND IN A CLEARING ON THE EASTERN RIDGE LINE ABOUT 100 YDS BELOW THE SITE. THE PAX DEPLANED, & THE PLT STATED THAT IF THE WX IMPROVED HE WOULD FLY UP TO THE SITE. AS THE PAX ARRIVED AT THE SITE, HE HEARD THE HELICOPTER START ITS ENG & PROCEED TO FLY TOWARD HIS POSITION. IT HOVERED FOR A SHORT TIME, & THEN BEGAN DESCENDING TOWARD THE SW INTO A CLOUD COVER. ABOUT 20 SECS LATER HE HEARD THE CRASH. HE LOCATED THE CRASH SITE THROUGH THE DENSE CLOUD COVER BY SMELLING THE BURNING WRECKAGE. THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A GYRO HORIZON OR INSTRUMENTED FOR IFR OPERATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8163J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8163J-1983-06-25), registration cancelled 1983-06-25, S/N 552 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206 B III
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 552
- Airframe hours: 14204
- Engines: ALLISON 250 C-20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Verticare Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 7, 1983, 25 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: unknown, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 13,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 12,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNS, 13 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 19830322008449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830322008449A), Mar 22, 1983: Bell 206B3, Salinas, CA, Destroyed. Pilot was attempting to reposition helicopter on mountain helipad and descended into fog and crashed.

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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