LAX87LA179

NTSB accident investigation · Bell 206B-II · Yucaipa, CA · April 16, 1987

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
April 16, 1987, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
Place
Yucaipa, CA
Injuries
1 minor, 2 uninjured
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Maneuvering
Aircraft
N76EFBell 206B-II
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report January 11, 1989
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19870416009919A
Case key
25566

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - in flightHover
Weather condition - high density altitudeFactor
Preflight planning/preparation - inadequatePilot in commandCause
Airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - mountainous/hillyFactor
In-flight planning/decision - improperPilot in commandCause
Remedial action - delayedPilot in commandCause
Lack of total experience in kind of aircraftPilot in commandFactor
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled
Emergency procedure - not followedPilot in commandFactor

Analysis

A bell 206B went out of control and crashed while lndg at a 5,720 ft high helipad. The plt indicated that he terminated the aprch at a 8-10 ft hover and began to spin to the right with full left pedal applied. After 1 1/2 to 2 turns the plt atmptd to fly out of the spin by lowering the nose and reducing power. The acft continued to spin and collided with the terrain rolling onto it's left side. The approx density altitude (da) for the helipad was 6,800 ft MSL. Ac 61-13B states, 'if the destination is at a higher altitude and/or higher temperature and moisture content prevail, sufficient power may not be available to hover at the destination with the existing gross weight'. The manual also states that a normal aprch to the surface should be used when high da or heavily loaded conditions exist. The FAA defined 'unanticipated right yaw' as an occurrence of an uncommanded right yaw rate which does not subside of its own accord and which, if not corrected can result in loss of acft control.

Aircraft

Registration
N76EF
Reported as
Bell 206B-II
Category
Helicopter
Serial number
1756
Airframe hours
3,966
Engine
Allison 250-C20, 400 horsepower, turbo shaft
Damage
Destroyed
Fire
On-Ground
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
J. C. Helicopters
Registered owner
J. C. Helicopter
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
100 hour · April 1, 1987 · 25 hours before
Departed
CNO · Chino, CA

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
32
Certificate
Private
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Right
Flight hours
194 total · 17 in this make and model · 154 as pilot in command · 48 in the last 90 days · 13 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
Calm
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
79 °F, dew point 48 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
SBD, 15 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.