# NTSB LAX85MA012: Bell 206B, N3U, Riverside, CA, October 10, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1984, 10:22 local (17:22 UTC)
- Place: Riverside, CA
- Coordinates: 33.899238, -117.399665 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8992&lon=-117.3997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24861
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85MA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24861/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85MA012

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED FULLERTON, CA (ELEV 96') AT O958 PDT ON A FLT TO BIG BEAR, CA (ELEV 6750'). THERE WAS NO RECORD OF THE PLT OBTAINING A WX BRIEFING. AT APRX 1015, A WITNESS HEARD THE HELICOPTER CIRCLING ABOVE THE BOTTOM OF 'AN EARLY MORNING FOG HANGING OVER THE GROUND AT APRX 300 FT.'  AFTER CIRCLING ABOUT 3 TO 5 MIN, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO FLY SOUTH WHEN IT SUDDENLY WAS OBSERVED FLYING OUT OF THE FOG AT A STEEP ANGLE TOWARD THE GROUND. IT WAS ANGLED NOSE DOWN WITH A SLIGHT ROLL TO THE LEFT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER CRASHED IN A TAIL LOW, LEFT BANK ATTITUDE. THE ENG WAS REPORTED TO BE OPERATING AT A HI POWER SETTING UNTIL THE HELICPOTER CRASHED & BURNED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF LOW ROTOR RPM, THAT THE CYCLIC CONTROL WAS FULL AFT & THAT THE COLLECTIVE WAS FULL DOWN AT IMPACT. APRX 4 MI EAST, THE 1019 WX WAS, IN PART: SKY PARTIALLY OBSCURED, 1000' OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 3/4 MI WITH FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2863
- Airframe hours: 798
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Uco Air
- Registered owner: Uco Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 29, 1984, 24 hours before
- Departed: FUL, FULLERTON, CA
- Destination: L35, BIG BEAR CITY, CA
- Airport: 92CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,445 total, 2,650 in this make and model, 111 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 2 knots
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: 4 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 19841010055299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841010055299A), Oct 10, 1984: Bell 206B, Riverside, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft was heard circling in fog. Flew out of fog at steep angle and impacted ground. Main blade portion missing.

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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