# NTSB LAX86FVA10: Bell UH-1B, N64789, Le Grand, CA, June 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1986, 06:10 local (13:10 UTC)
- Place: Le Grand, CA
- Coordinates: 37.07064, -120.269493 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0706&lon=-120.2695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 3, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24962
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FVA10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24962/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FVA10

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - turbine assembly - overspeed (cause)
  - turbine assembly - failure,total (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF PRIOR TO A SPRAY RUN ON A NEARBY FIELD. THE ENGINE DECELERATED TO ZERO AND THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE TURBINE ROTOR WAS DESTROYED AND EVIDENCE OF OVERSPEED AND TENSION OVERLOAD WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64789](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64789-1998-03-04), registration cancelled 1998-03-04, S/N 624598 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL UH-1B
- Registry model: [Bell UH-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-uh-1b) (registry code 1181410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 62-4598
- Airframe hours: 5163
- Engines: LYCOMING T5311A 900 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Rogers Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 1, 1986, 80 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 9,475 total, 3,025 in this make and model, 9,275 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F

## Other investigations on N64789 (1)

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 LAX90DXQ04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DXQ04), Aug 14, 1990: Bell UH-1B (N64789), Bieber, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL WHEN INTENTIONALLY SLOWING HIS AIRCRAFT TO OFF LOAD WATER ON FIRE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ARM AND RELEASE 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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