# NTSB LAX87DUM01: Bell UH-1B, N2770N, Calipatria, CA, December 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1986, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Calipatria, CA
- Coordinates: 33.130161, -115.519279 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1302&lon=-115.5193&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): 25316
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87DUM01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25316/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DUM01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - rotor rpm - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (cause)

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AT THE BEGINNING OF AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE PILOT MADE A CLIMBING 180 DEGREE RIGHT TURN IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION WHEN THE ROTOR RPM BEGAN TO DROP. THE PILOT CONTINUED TO RAISE COLLECTIVE, LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN APPROXIMATELY 100 YARDS FROM THE INITIAL LIFT-OFF POINT. THE REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2770N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2770N-2009-07-01), registration cancelled 2009-07-01, S/N 63-8509, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL UH-1B
- Registry model: [Bell 204](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-204) (registry code 1181402) (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: 63-8509
- Airframe hours: 3849
- Engines: LYCOMING T-53-11B 1150 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Farm Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 5, 1986, 46 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 13,540 total, 230 in this make and model, 13,540 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point -0 °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 19861201063979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861201063979A), Dec 1, 1986: Bell 204B, Calipatria, CA, Substantial damage. The helicopter impacted in an open field shortly after takeoff. Rotor speed decayed for unspecified reasons.

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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