# NTSB LAX85LA299: Bell 206B3, N2766Y, Grand Canyon, AZ, June 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1985, 09:18 local (16:18 UTC)
- Place: Grand Canyon, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.029563, -112.020912 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0296&lon=-112.0209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24759
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA299
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24759/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA299

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - aircraft performance - exceeded (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - downhill (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A MOVIE FILMING FLIGHT, THE HELICOPTER WAS ACTING AS THE CAMERA PLATFORM AND FILMING A FIXED WING AIRCRAFT DURING A STRAIGHT IN APPRAOCH TO THE AIRPORT, THE PLT OF THE HELICOPTER REQUESTED A RIGHT 180 DEGREE TURN AT MID FIELD TO LAND AT THE NORTH HELIPAD RAMP AREA. WITNESSES SAW THE HELICOPTER START AN 'ABRUPT CLIMBING RIGHT TURN,' THEN YAW AS IT DESCENDED INTO THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ON TOUCHDOWN WITH THE SLOPING GROUND AT THE NORTH AIRPORT BOUNDARY. THE PILOT STATED THEREWERE NO MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES OF THE HELICOPTER AND THAT HE ENCOUNTERED A 'LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS'DURING THE TURN TO THE LANDING AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2766Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2766Y-2001-06-25), registration cancelled 2001-06-25, S/N 2761 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B3
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2761
- Airframe hours: 2599
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jet Copters, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 31, 1985, 204 hours before
- Airport: GCN, Grand Canyon, runway 21, 8,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,750 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GCN

## 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 19850628028539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850628028539A), Jun 28, 1985: Bell 206B, Grand Canyon, AZ, Substantial damage. After low high speed pass down runway pulled up and made turn. Lost tail rotor effectivness, impacted the ground.

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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