# NTSB LAX88FA033: Bell 206L-3, N66WL, Rialto, CA, November 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1987, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Rialto, CA
- Coordinates: 34.099147, -117.380012 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0991&lon=-117.3800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 1, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25788
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25788/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA033

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - tie down - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - tie down - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - movement restricted (contributing factor)
  - vertical takeoff - not possible
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE RECENTLY PAINTED HELICOPTER DURING THE TAKEOFF. THE PAINT SHOP PERSONNEL HAD MOVED THE HELO TO A AIRPLANE PARKING SPOT. THE HELO SKIDS STRADDLED THE TIE-DOWN CHAINS. TWO WING TIE-DOWN CHAINS WERE INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR SKID. ONE WITNESS INDICATED THAT HE WALKED AROUND THE HELO EXAMINING THE NEW PAINT BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF THE PLT AND PAX. HE STATED THAT HE DID NOT NOTICE ANY TIE-DOWN CHAINS ON THE ACFT. THE PLT DID NOT NOTICE THE TIE-DOWN CHAINS DURING THE PREFLIGHT CHECK AND DID NOT REMOVE THEM. THE CHAINS WERE ATTACHED WITHOUT TENSION. AS THE HELO CAME TO A HOVER, THE SLACK WAS TAKEN UP. WITH THE RIGHT SKID TUBE TETHERED, THE HELO ROLLED RIGHT ALLOWING THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES TO STRIKE THE GROUND. AC 20-35C STATES, 'FASTEN THE TIE-DOWN ROPES TO THE FUSELAGE MOORING POINTS AND EXTEND THEM TO THE GROUND MOORING ANCHORS'. THE CHAINS WERE DARK BROWN IN COLOR AND DID NOT CLEARLY CONTRAST WITH THE ASPHALT SURFACE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N66WL (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-3
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 51041
- Airframe hours: 817
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C30 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: William Lyon Company
- Registered owner: William Lyon Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 28, 1987, 90 hours before
- Departed: L67, RIALTO, CA
- Destination: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Airport: L67, Miro Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,261 total, 1,070 in this make and model, 2,100 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ONT, 11 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 19871119066679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871119066679A), Nov 19, 1987: Bell 206L3, Rialto, CA, Substantial damage. Lifted to hover unaware hidden tie down chains still attached. Rolled over and crashed. Tie downs were improper.

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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