# NTSB LAX86MA311: Bell 206B, N49606, Alamo, CA, August 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1986, 12:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Alamo, CA
- Coordinates: 37.849552, -122.019096 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8496&lon=-122.0191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25286
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86MA311
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25286/pdf
- Board report AAR8804 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR8804.pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86MA311

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - incapacitation(cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
  - instructions,written/verbal - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate certification/approval,airman, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - downhill

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE HELICOPTER CIRCLE TWICE OVER A RESIDENCE AT AN ALT OF APRX 50' AGL. UPON INITIATING THE THIRD TURN THE HELICOPTER ENTERED AN ABRUPT 90 DEG BANK AND NOSED DOWN TO IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN. EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER FAILED TO REVEAL ANY FAILURE/MALFUNCTION. POSTMORTEM EXAM OF THE PLT REVEALED SEVERE ARTHERIOSCLEROTIC HEART DISEASE WHICH MOST PROBABLY RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC MYOCARDIAL EVENT JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT HAD A HISTORY OF HEART DISEASE DATING PRIOR TO OCT, 1981. IN SEPT, 1984, THE PLT WAS DENIED A CLASS II MEDICAL BASED ON HIS MEDICAL HISTORY. IN JAN, 1985, THE NEWLY APPOINTED FAS ISSUED A SPECIAL ISSUANCE CLASS II WITHOUT FURTHER MEDICAL EXAMS.AFTER FURTHER MEDICAL EXAMS IN APRIL, 1986, THE PLT WAS ISSUED AN UNRESTRICTED CLASS II MEDICAL IN MAY, 1986. AT THIS TIME THE PLT WAS ADVISED TO REPORT ANY CHANGES IN HIS MEDICAL CONDITION. DURING THAT SAME MONTH, THE PLT WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR A MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION. THIS EVENT WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE FAS AND THE PLT CONTINUED FLYING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49606](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49606-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N 1775, 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: 1775
- Engines: ALLISON 250C20B 427 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joe Foster Excavating, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 1986, 74 hours before
- Departed: DANVILLE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 16,272 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- 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 19860803036789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860803036789A), Aug 3, 1986: Bell 206B, Alamo, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck trees circling residence. Lost control due to heart attack. Had history of heart problems. Issued waiver.

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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