# NTSB LAX87LA179: Bell 206B-II, N76EF, Yucaipa, CA, April 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1987, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Yucaipa, CA
- Coordinates: 34.039367, -117.009437 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0394&lon=-117.0094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25566
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25566/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA179

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76EF-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 1756, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B-II
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1756
- Airframe hours: 3966
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870416009919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870416009919A), Apr 16, 1987: Bell 206B, Yucaipa, CA, Destroyed. Lost tail rotor effectiveness while hovering out of ground effect for landing on helipad. Helicopter spun to impact

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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