# NTSB LAX83FA277: Bell 212, N59636, Goleta, CA, June 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1983, 00:18 local (07:18 UTC)
- Place: Goleta, CA
- Location: 34.4354° N, 119.8589° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Goleta, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4354&lon=-119.8589&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23463
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA277
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23463/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA277

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - rotorcraft flight control - vibration
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - normal
- Roll over, descent

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT AS HE APPROACHED THE OIL RIG & REDUCED POWER TO START HIS DESCENT FROM 500 FT, THE TAIL ROTOR (T/R) PEDALS BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE VIBRATIONS BECAME WORSE WITH A FURTHER REDUCTION OF POWER TO REDUCE AIRSPEED. THE PLT THEN PLANNED A DESCENT SO AS TO BE CLOSER TO THE WATER IN CASE OF A COMPLETE T/R FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE ACFT UNEXPECTEDLY STRUCK THE WATER BEFORE THE PLT ARMED THE AUTOMATICALLY ACTUATED EMERGENCY FLOTATION BAGS. THE ACFT IMMEDIATELY ROLLED OVER. THE M/R ASSEMBLY, T/R ASSEMBLY AFT OF THE 42 DEG GEAR BOX, VERTICAL FIN & UPPER TRANSMISSION WERE NOT RECOVERED. THE OPERATOR DID NOT HAVE A CFR 135 EXEMPTION ALLOWING SINGLE PILOT OPERATIONAL OF A BELL 212 OVER WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59636](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59636-2000-11-01), registration cancelled 2000-11-01, S/N 30678 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 212
- Registry model: [Bell 212](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-212) (registry code 1181420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 30678
- Airframe hours: 4541
- Engines: P&W PT6T-3B 900 lbs thrust turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Fevergreen Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 2, 1983, 4 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,328 total, 460 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBA, 5 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 19830610025069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830610025069A), Jun 10, 1983: Bell 212, Goleta, CA, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Tail rotor vibration on approach to rig platform. Reduced power. Hit water without arming floats. Rolled and sank.

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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