# NTSB LAX83LA312: Bell 204B, N1WA, Ocotillo, CA, June 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1983, 12:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place: Ocotillo, CA
- Coordinates: 32.719383, -115.87973 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7194&lon=-115.8797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23771
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA312
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23771/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA312

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, hover
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - other person (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ON AN EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATION TO AIRLIFT LOADS OF CEMENT. THE CEMENT WAS BEING POURED FOR BASE PILINGS FOR POWER LINE TOWERS ON ROUGH TERRAIN. WHILE CARRYING A 3100 LB LOAD OF CEMENT ON A 40 FT LINE, THE HELICOPTER HAD JUST MOVED TO A POSITION TO START POURING. WHILE STABLIZED IN A HOVER, THE PLT HEARD 3 COMPRESSOR STALLS. THE HELICOPTER YAWED & BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE. THE PLT MOVED THE ACFT FORWARD FOR THE SAFETY OF WORKERS BELOW. THE PLT CONTINUED FORWARD, RELEASED THE EXTERNAL LOAD, CONTINUED AN AUTOROTATION INTO A RAVINE & LANDED ON SOFT, UNEVEN GROUND. PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN MAKING UNCONTROLLABLE TURNS. THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK A LARGE BOULDER. SHORTLY AFTER LANDING, A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE ENG COMPARTMENT WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY COSUMED THE HELICOPTER. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE, INCLUDING THE ENG, REVEALED NO PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL PROBLEM. THE PINION GEAR OF THE 90 DEG GEAR BOX EXHIBITED SOME BACKLASH WEAR. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS APRX 3000 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1WA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 204B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2065
- Airframe hours: 9566
- Engines: LYCOMING T53-13B 1300 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: Wright Airlift International
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 17, 1983, 10 hours before
- Departed: JACUMBA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,800 total, 350 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 12 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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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