# NTSB LAX83FA287: Bell 206B, N5754M, Temecula, CA, June 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1983, 15:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Temecula, CA
- Location: 33.4936° N, 117.1484° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Temecula, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4936&lon=-117.1484&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 5 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23465
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA287
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23465/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA287

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF ON A DEMONSTRATION FLT TO FAMILIARIZE THE PASSENGERS WITH THE HELICOPTER. HE REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, HE PROCEEDED NORTHEAST AT ABOUT 100 TO 150 FT AGL & 80 KTS IN WIND THAT WAS FROM THE WEST AT 25 GUSTING 30 KTS. AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT 3 MI, HE TURNED LEFT TOWARD A WESTERLY DIRECTION, USING APRX A 30 DEG BANK. HE STATED THAT JUST PRIOR TO ROLLING OUT OF THE TURN, THE HELICOPTER STARTED TO RAPIDLY LOSE ALT & THE FORWARD & AFT CYCLIC CONTROL WOULD NOT RESPOND TO HIS IMPUTS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND. HE BELIEVED THAT THE WIND HAD SHIFT & THE HELICOPTER MAY HAVE TURNED DOWNWIND & BEGAN SETTING WITH POWER. ACCORDING TO A PASSENGER, WHEN THE HELICOPTER WAS IN THE TURN TO THE WEST, HE FELT A THUMP, THE ACFT BEGAN CLIMBING, THEN WENT INTO A 360 DEG SPIN TO THE RIGHT. NO PREIMPACT/PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE 3 SERVO ACTUATORS WERE TESTED & ALL 3 FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. LOCAL PLTS REPORTED THE WINDS WERE OFTEN UNPREDICTABLE DUE TO ROLLING HILLS IN THE AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5754M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5754M-2014-11-26), registration cancelled 2014-11-26, S/N 3115, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 317HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-317hp) (registry code 03011, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3115
- Airframe hours: 730
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: William J. Bauer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 16, 1983, 28 hours before
- Departed: TEMECULA, CA
- Airport: 2L0, Temecula

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,186 total, 425 in this make and model, 2,976 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 25 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19830614025149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830614025149A), Jun 14, 1983: Bell 206B3, Temecula, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot felt thump and helicoper went into a spin to the right until ground contact. No discrepancy found.

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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