# NTSB LAX83LA403: Bell 206-B3, N3982M, Avenal, CA, August 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1983, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Avenal, CA
- Coordinates: 35.890037, -120.069236 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8900&lon=-120.0692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23829
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA403
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23829/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA403

## Sequence of events

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

- Other gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
  - landing gear,skid assembly - overload
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS DEMONSTRATING AUTOROTATIVE LANDINGS IN A HELICOPTER EQUIPPED WITH HIGH SKID LANDING GEAR. DURING HIS 4TH AUTOROTATION, HE MADE A STRAIGHT-IN APCH & TOUCHED DOWN ON LEVEL, SMOOTH TERRAIN. AS THE HELICOPTER WAS STOPPING, THE HIGH SKID ROTATED REARWARD & THE HELICOPTER PITCHED NOSE DOWN & SLAPPED THE GROUND WITH SUFFICIENT FORCED TO ACTIVATE THE ELT. AS THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN, THE TAIL BOOM ROSE & STRUCK 1 MAIN ROTOR BLADE. THE PLT STATED THAT THE HELICOPTER HAD TOUCHED DOWN SMOOTHLY IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE. HE BELIEVED THAT THE HIGH SKID NEEDED TO BE STRENGTHENED. THE CROSS TUBE ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT DIRECTLY BOLTED AT THE FUSELAGE ATTACHMENT. INSTEAD, THEY CONTAINED NIPPLES WHICH WERE DESIGNED TO RESIST ROTATION WHEN PROPERLY SECURED TO THE FUSELAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3982M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206-B3
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20J 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Shanair Inc
- Departed: AVENAL, CA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 1,071 total, 194 in this make and model, 108 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL

## 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 19830822042779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830822042779A), Aug 22, 1983: Bell 206B3, Avenal, CA, Substantial damage. Skids collapsed rearward on a slide on simulated autorotation landing.

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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