# NTSB LAX83FVD06: Bell 206B, N90329, Escalon, CA, March 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1983, 01:30 local (08:30 UTC)
- Place: Escalon, CA
- Coordinates: 37.830326, -121.030517 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8303&lon=-121.0305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23565
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FVD06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23565/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FVD06

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A SMALL TREE ABOUT 8 FT HIGH DURING A FORCED LANDING AT NIGHT AFTER A POWER LOSS. THE COLLISION BROKE THE TAIL BOOM AND A HARD LANDING CAUSED THE FAILURE OF A LANDING SKID AND DAMAGED THE MAIN ROTOR. THE PLT HAD TAKEN TWO FRIENDS FOR A NIGHT FLT AND AFTER A SHORT FLIGHT THE ENGINE QUIT. THE FORCED LANDING FOLLOWED. DURING THE POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION THE FUEL IN THE ACFT WAS FOUND TO BE DIRTY. BECAUSE OF A FUEL BYPASS THAT PERMITSCONTINOUS FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE BYPASSING THE MAIN FUEL FILTER FUEL CONTAMINATION WAS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE A CRITICAL FACTOR IN THIS INSTANCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N90329 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2950
- Airframe hours: 2165
- Engines: ALLISON C-20 turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thunderbird Helicopters
- Registered owner: Mark Twain Leasing Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 12, 1983, 92 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,193 total, 2,150 in this make and model, 2,150 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

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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