# NTSB LAX84LA172: Bell 206L-1, N2045U, Camarillo, CA, January 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 28, 1984, 03:00 local (11:00 UTC)
- Place: Camarillo, CA
- Coordinates: 34.230926, -119.069458 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2309&lon=-119.0695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24166
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24166/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA172

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - judgment - poor, unqualified person (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - attempted
  - flight controls - improper use of (cause)
- Roll over, takeoff

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PLT HAD BEEN DRINKING & DECIDED TO PROVE TO HIS FRIENDS THAT HE COULD FLY A HELICOPTER. REPORTEDLY, HE 'THREW ON A BUNCH OF SWITCHES, AND GOT THE ENGINE STARTED.'  WHEN HE ATTEMPTED THE TAKEOFF, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE PLT HELD A STUDENT PLT CERTIFICATE, BUT NO RECORD WAS FOUND OF ANY DUAL INSTRUCTION IN EITHER A HELICOPTER OR AN ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2045U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45649
- Airframe hours: 1085
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 525 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Rotor Dynamics Heli. Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 4, 1984, 10 hours before
- Departed: CMA
- Airport: Camarillo

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19840128004379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840128004379A), Jan 28, 1984: Bell 206L, Camarillo, CA, Destroyed. Student had been drinking. Attempted takeoff to show friends he could fly. Helicopter rolled over and tore apart.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.