# NTSB LAX84LA329: Bell 206, N9722R, Allegheny, CA, June 2, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1984, 12:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Allegheny, CA
- Coordinates: 39.339897, -120.869773 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3399&lon=-120.8698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24293
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA329
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24293/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA329

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, hover
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS DELIVERING SUPPLIES FROM A MOUNTAIN SITE TO A RIVER WORK SITE. HE STATED THAT ON HIS 10TH & LAST FLT, THE WIND CAUSED THE HELICOPTER & EXTERNAL LOAD COMBINATION TO SHIFT LATERALLY. AT THAT TIME, THE LOAD/LINE BECAME ENTANGLED IN A TREE. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN MOVING IN AN ARC & SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED IN THE RIVER. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE LOAD; ALTHO, HE HAD PREVIOUSLY CHECKED THE ELECTRICAL & MANUAL RELEASE MECHANISMS & THEY OPERATED NORMALLY. HE ESTIMATED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 050 DEG AT 5 GUSTING 7 KTS. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 3100 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9722R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9722R-1991-02-11), registration cancelled 1991-02-11, S/N U20606949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206
- Registry model: [Cessna U206G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206g) (registry code 2073356) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 244
- Airframe hours: 11252
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: Cal Sierra Timber, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 24, 1984, 41 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 11,000 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYV, 40 nm away

## 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 19840602024399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840602024399A), Jun 2, 1984: Bell 206B, Allegheny, CA, Substantial damage. External load became entangled with trees causing helicopter to crash before pilot could release load.

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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