# NTSB LAX87FA017: Bell 206B-3, N3182V, Lompoc, CA, October 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1986, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Lompoc, CA
- Coordinates: 34.600585, -120.390457 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6006&lon=-120.3905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25354
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25354/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA017

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - landing gear,skid assembly - movement restricted (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - foreign substance covered (cause)
  - other airport/runway maintenance - improper, airport personnel (cause)
  - facility,inadequate design(standard/requirement), company/operator management (cause)
- Roll over, hover
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HELIPAD DECK AT THE STERN OF THE BARGE WAS COVERED WITH A LOOSELY SECURED ROPE NET AND WITNESSES REPORTED THAT AS THE HELICOPTER LIFTED UP TO A HOVER THE NET CAME UP 'CAUGHT ON THE REAR OF THE LEFT SKID.' THE ACFT WAS SEEN TO HOVER FOR A MOMENT WITH THE NET TANGLED IN THE LEFT SKID, THEN THE NET 'SUDDENLY LET GO.' THE ACFT WAS SEEN TO 'PITCH NOSE UP' AND BANK VIOLENTLY LEFT INTO A CRANE AND A DAVIT BEFORE IT FELL OVERBOARD AND SANK. ACCORDING TO A SURVIVING PASSENGER SEATED NEXT TO THE PILOT, AFTER THE HELICOPTER HOVERED FOR A MOMENT THE PILOT LEANED OVER AND ASKED 'ARE WE HUNG UP' JUST BEFORE THE HELICOPTER BANKED LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH THE STRUCTURES. BOTH OF THE HELICOPTER SKIDS AND OTHER WRECKAGE WAS FOUND CAUGHT ON THE DAVIT. EXAMINATION OF THE SKIDS REVEALED STRANDS OF THE ROPE MATERIAL CAUGHT IN BETWEEN THE BOLT HEAD AND SKID FLANGE FOR THE LEFT GROUND HANDLING BOLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3182V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B-3
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3783
- Airframe hours: 1548
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20J 370 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 7, 1986, 54 hours before
- Destination: SBA, GOLETA, CA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 12,080 total, 115 in this make and model, 11,051 as pilot in command, 106 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 2 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 19861016049189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861016049189A), Oct 16, 1986: Bell 206B, Lompoc, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The helicopter hit ship structure when a skid caught a net on takeoff from a barge. Netting was improperly secured.

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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