# NTSB LAX85LA194: Bell 206A, N1434W, San Diego, CA, March 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1985, 12:32 local (20:32 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Location: 32.7153° N, 117.1573° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Diego, CA, within about 10 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7153&lon=-117.1573&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24688
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24688/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA194

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - bleed air system - improper (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,replacement - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - bleed air system - failure,total (cause)
  - fuel system,fuel control - inoperative
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - level off - premature
  - flare - not possible

## Analysis

DURING FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER & THE PLT BEGAN AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING IN A PARKING LOT. DURING THE APCH, HE MANEUVERED TO AVOID A 100 FT CRANE. AS THE HELICOPTER WAS APPROACHING THE INTENDED TOUCHDOWN POINT, A VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN INTO THE FLT PATH OF THE ACFT. TO AVOID THE VEHICLE, THE PLT INCREASED THE COLLECTIVE TO EXTEND THE GLIDE PATH. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER LOST ROTOR RPM BEFORE TOUCHDOWN & LANDED HARD. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT AN IMPROPER PART (AN OIL LINE) HAD BEEN SUBSTITUTED FOR THE 'COMPRESSOR TO FUEL CONTROL PRESSURE SENSING' LINE (PN 6848471). THE LINE HAD FRACTURED AT A B-NUT WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1434W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1434W-1989-01-04), registration cancelled 1989-01-04, S/N 366 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206A
- Registry model: [Bell 206A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206a) (registry code 1181508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 366
- Airframe hours: 4955
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Blue Bird Express Helicopters
- Registered owner: Ted T Kennedy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; seat: right; flight hours: 1,400 total, 47 in this make and model, 1,050 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAN, 3 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 19850331009819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850331009819A), Mar 31, 1985: Bell 206A, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. Engine failed on sightseeing flight,made hard landing. Line to fuel pressure sensor broke.

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.