# NTSB LAX87FA332: Bell 206B, N1082S, Vallejo, CA, September 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1987, 11:38 local (18:38 UTC)
- Place: Vallejo, CA
- Coordinates: 38.089645, -122.250961 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0896&lon=-122.2510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25425
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA332
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25425/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA332

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - information insufficient, company/operator management (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE PERFORMING A ROUTINE AERIAL OBSERVATION FLIGHT TO INSPECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY'S TRANSMISSION LINES, THE HELICOPTER CRASHED AFTER COLLIDING WITH AN UNMARKED STATIC WIRE. THE LINE INSTALLATION WAS ON SLOPING TERRAIN & CONSISTED OF 3 TOWERS. THE SEVERED STATIC LINE WAS SUPPORTED BY TOWERS HAVING HIGHER ELEVATIONS. THE PLT FAILED TO DETECT & AVOID THE ELEVATED STATIC LINE. PG & E FAILED TO PROVIDE THE PLT WITH ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE HAZARDOUS & SOMEWHAT UNIQUE LINE CONFIGURATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1082S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1082S-1989-06-08), registration cancelled 1989-06-08, S/N 2902 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2902
- Airframe hours: 5046
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Commodore Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Commodore Helicopters, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 7, 1987, 20 hours before
- Departed: APC, NAPA, CA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,817 total, 2,300 in this make and model, 5,300 as pilot in command, 97 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Temperature: 64 °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 19870909069299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870909069299A), Sep 9, 1987: Bell 206B, Vallejo, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Main rotors struck a guy wire. Aircraft crashed as it was climbing over powerline tower. Was on powerline patrol.

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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