# NTSB LAX85LA045: Bell 206B, N2917W, Inverness, CA, November 10, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 9, 1984, 16:00 local (Nov 10, 1984, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Inverness, CA
- Coordinates: 38.109336, -122.92089 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1093&lon=-122.9209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24594
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24594/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA045

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, climb
  - fluid,fuel - water
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command

## Analysis

AN AUTOROTATION WAS INITIATED AT ABOUT 300 FT AS ENG AND ROTOR RPM BEGAN TO DECREASE. TOUCHDOWN OCCURRED IN SOFT SAND WITH SOME FORWARD MOTION. FULL AFT CYCLIC WAS APPLIED CAUSING THE MAIN ROTOR TO CONTACT THE TAILBOOM. EXAM OF THE ACFT FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED APRX 2/3 QUART OF WATER IN THE FUEL FILTER AND A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF WATER IN THE FUEL PUMP. ABOUT 1/2 GAL OF WATER WAS CONTAINED IN THE FUEL DRUM FROM WHCH THE HELICOPTER HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2917W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2917W-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N 806, built 1972 (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 SER 317HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-317hp) (registry code 03011, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 806
- Airframe hours: 5106
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Astrocopters, Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1984, 93 hours before
- Departed: INVERNESS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,021 total, 2,855 in this make and model, 5,519 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19841109067329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841109067329A), Nov 9, 1984: Bell 206B, Inverness, CA, Substantial damage. Hard landing on beach after power loss. Water found in fuel filter, fuel pump and refueling drum.

## Other investigations on N2917W (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX90LA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA283), Aug 14, 1990: Bell 206B II (N2917W), San Francisco, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S DECISION TO OPERATE THE HELICOPTER IN A FLIGHT REGIME CONDUCIVE TO UNANTICIPATED…

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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