# NTSB LAX85LA092: Bell 2061-1, N2246Q, Santa Barbara, CA, January 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 3, 1985, 07:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Santa Barbara, CA
- Coordinates: 34.499538, -120.120063 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4995&lon=-120.1201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24622
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24622/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA092

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF & DEPARTURE, THE HELICOPTER CLIMBED TO ABOUT 150 FT AGL & STARTED TO PROCEED OVER WATER. AS IT CROSSED OVER THE SHORELINE NEAR THE END OF THE RWY, THE ENG FLAMED OUT. THE PLT TURNED ABOUT 120 DEG BACK TOWARD A BEECH AREA & MADE AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING ON SOFT, SANDY TERRAIN. THE HEICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN WITH A FORWARD SPEED OF 8 TO 10 KTS. AS THE SKIDS SANK IN THE SAND, THE PLT APPLIED AFT CYCLIC & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM. AN EXAM OF THE ENG & FUEL SYS REVEALED NO REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2246Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2246Q-2004-02-10), registration cancelled 2004-02-10, S/N 45752, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 2061-1
- Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C28 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c28-series) (registry code 03022, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45752
- Airframe hours: 2062
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 13, 1984, 21 hours before
- Departed: SBA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 10,207 total, 1,054 in this make and model, 9,310 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBA, 1 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 19850103000149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850103000149A), Jan 3, 1985: Bell 206L1, South Bend, IN, Substantial damage. Reported engine flameout on departure. Autorotated to beach. Stretched glide. Low rotor speed chopped tailboom.

## Other investigations on N2246Q (2)

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 FTW97RA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97RA323), Aug 21, 1997: Bell 206L-1 (N2246Q), Arica, Peru, 3 fatal
- [NTSB LAX88FA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA330), Sep 29, 1988: Bell 206L-1 (N2246Q), Santa Barbara, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE #1 TURBINE WHEEL. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE UNREPORTED OVER TEMPERATURE CYCLES OF THE ENGINE. ALSO CONTRIBUTING WAS THE UNSUITABILITY OF THE LANDING SURFACE FROM THE…

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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