# NTSB LAX89LA073: Bell 206L-1, N1072S, Oakland, CA, December 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 20, 1988, 18:00 local (Dec 21, 1988, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Oakland, CA
- Location: 37.8044° N, 122.2708° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Oakland, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8044&lon=-122.2708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26316
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26316/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA073

## Probable cause

PILOTS INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITITIONS FROM WHICH HE INADVERTENTLY DESCENDED INTO THE WATER AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING; LACK OF RECENT INSTRUMENT FLYING EXPERIENCE; OVERCONFIDENT IN HIS OWN ABILITY TO CONDUCT A SAFE FLIGHT IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - fss service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent

## Analysis

THE PILOT DESCENDED INTO THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA WHILE ON A NIGHT VISUAL FLIGHT FROM OAKLAND TO SAN FRANCISCO. THE WEATHER WAS INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WITH VISIBILITY BETWEEN ONE TO FOUR MILES WITH MODERATE RAIN SHOWERS AND FOG. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RADIO SAN FRANCISCO TOWER BUT WAS ADVISED HE WAS STILL BROADCASTING ON THE OAKLAND TOWER FREQUENCY. THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED THE ADVICE AND WAS NOT HEARD FROM AGAIN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS RECOVERED FROM THE BAY AFTER EXPOSURE TO SALT WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT WAS NOT FOUND. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT HAD LITTLE RECENT INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1072S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1072S-1990-04-27), registration cancelled 1990-04-27, S/N 45326 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45326
- Airframe hours: 3244
- Engines: ALLISON C28B 500 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Helicopters Unlimited
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: OAK
- Destination: HUNTER'S POINT, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,370 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 220° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OAK

## 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 19881220065189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881220065189A), Dec 20, 1988: Bell 206L1, Oakland, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed into bay shortly after night takeoff in fog and rain. Helicopter not equipped for IFR. Pilot not current.

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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