# NTSB LAX85FA036: Bell 206B, N20DB, Beaumont, CA, October 31, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1984, 23:41 local (Oct 31, 1984, 07:41 UTC)
- Place: Beaumont, CA
- Coordinates: 33.939571, -116.970481 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9396&lon=-116.9705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24431
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24431/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA036

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command
  - pressure induced by others, pilot in command
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - object - guy wire
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

APPROXIMATELY ONE MIN BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT CONTACTED THE TOWER AT NORTON AIR FORCE BASE FOR CLEARANCE THROUGH THEIR TRAFFIC AREA. HE REPORTED INITIALLY THAT HE WAS AT 300 FT AGL. SECONDS LATER HE TRANSMITTED THAT HE WAS AT 100 FT OVER THE FREEWAY. THE REQUEST WAS APPROVED AT OR BELOW 2700 FT MSL WHILE IN THE CONTROL ZONE. THE HELICOPTER FIRST CONTACTED WIRES AT 100 FT AGL. IT THEN DESCENDED INTO A SECOND WIRE AT 80 FT AND A GUY WIRE AT 60 FT. ELEVATION AT THE SIGHT WAS 2,400 FT MSL. THE SITE WAS ABOUT 11 MILES EAST OF NORTON AIR FORCE BASE IN UNCONTROLLED AIRSPACE. WX AT NORTON WAS SKY PARTLY OBSCURED, VISIBILITY 1.5 MILES IN FOG. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT THE REQUEST OF THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER THE PILOTS PLANNED ROUTE OF FLIGHT WAS CHANGED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF WIRES IN THE AREA AND HAD SLOWED TO 60 KTS AND TURNED THE LANDING LIGHT ON IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN HIS VISUAL LOOKOUT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20DB-2017-03-24), registration cancelled 2017-03-24, S/N 937, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 937
- Airframe hours: 3580
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Offshore Logistics, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 13, 1984, 77 hours before
- Departed: BANNING, CA
- Destination: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,625 total, 193 in this make and model, 81 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBD, 13 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 19841030073329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841030073329A), Oct 30, 1984: Bell 206B, Beaumont, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Pilot flying low at night following a highway struck power lines and crashed.

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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