# NTSB LAX86LA155: Bell 206B, N49643, Huntington Bch, CA, March 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1986, 19:00 local (Mar 23, 1986, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Huntington Bch, CA
- Coordinates: 33.720928, -117.999816 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7209&lon=-117.9998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25104
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25104/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA155

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - rotor rpm - reduced, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A BELL 206B COLLIDED WITH A BERM AFTER AN ENG FAILURE WHILE DEPARTING A HELIPAD. THE PLT INDICATED HE HAD JUST DEPARTED THE HELIPAD AT NIGHT AND AT APRX 50 FT AGL THE ENG FAILED. THE ACFT VERTICAL FIN HIT THE BERM CAUSING THE TAIL BOOM TO BEND AFT OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER INTO THE PATH OF THE MAIN ROTOR. THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. THE ACFT ROTATED 90 DEG AND CAME TO REST UPRIGHT WITHOUT FURTHER DAMAGED. A TEAR DOWN INSPECTION OF THE ENG WAS CONDUCTED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF MATERIAL FAILURE OR MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THERE WAS FUEL FOUND IN THE FUEL CONTROL AND FUEL PUMP. EXAM OF THE FUEL PUMP FILTER AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL FILTER REVEALED NO CONTAMINANTS OR WATER IN THE SYSTEM. THE FUEL PUMP, GOVERNOR, AND FUEL CONTROL WERE EXAMINED AND BENCH TESTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS. ALL THREE COMPONENTS MET MANUFACTURERS PERFORMANCE CRITERIA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49643](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49643-2019-09-05), registration cancelled 2019-09-05, S/N 1813, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1813
- Airframe hours: 10829
- Engines: ALLISON 250 C-20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Aspen Helicopter, Inc.
- Registered owner: Rotor Dynamics
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 22, 1986, 60 hours before
- Departed: 20L, HUNTINGTON BCH, CA
- Destination: 18L, PLATFORM EMMY, CA
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: 20L, Heliport Aminoil USA Inc.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4,084 total, 552 in this make and model, 3,754 as pilot in command, 116 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Observed at: LGB, 12 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 19860322010849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860322010849A), Mar 22, 1986: Bell 206B, Huntington Beac, CA, Substantial damage. Vertical fin struck a berm during forced landing at night after engine failed. Cause of malfunction undetermined.

## Other investigations on N49643 (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 WPR19LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA135), May 4, 2019: Bell 206 (N49643), Oxnard, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inability to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering at a low altitude due to reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.

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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