# NTSB LAX85LA323: Bell 206B, N7910J, Soda Springs, CA, July 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1985, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Soda Springs, CA
- Coordinates: 39.319145, -120.399505 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3191&lon=-120.3995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24776
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA323
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24776/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA323

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - light condition - daylight
  - compensation for wind conditions - not identified, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

ON JULY 19,1985 A BELL 206B LOST CONTROL WHILE MANEUVERING NEAR SODA SPRINGS,CA.THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE TWO PILOTS SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE REPOTED HE WAS MANEUVERING AT 30 MPH LOOKING FOR SHEEP IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WHEN HE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN UNCOMMANDED YAW TO THE RIGHT,LOST CONTROL AND DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED INTO THE TERRAIN.HE ATTRIBUTED THE LOSS OF CONTROLLED INTO THE TERRAIN.HE ATTRIBUTED THE LOSS OF CONTROL AS A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7910J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7910J-1991-02-05), registration cancelled 1991-02-05, S/N 675 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 675
- Airframe hours: 16551
- Engines: ALLISON 250 C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Hofman Ranch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial, flight instructor, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,300 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19850719075899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850719075899A), Jul 19, 1985: Bell 206B, Soda Springs, CA, Destroyed. Did not apply sufficient left rudder in time to stop yaw during high altitude low airspeed flight. Hit trees,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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