# NTSB LAX89LA125: Bell 206B, N131AT, Corona, CA, March 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1989, 17:30 local (Mar 16, 1989, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Corona, CA
- Location: 33.8753° N, 117.5664° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Corona, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8753&lon=-117.5664&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26350
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26350/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA125

## Probable cause

IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE CYCLIC BY THE STUDENT PILOT, FAILURE OF THE STUDENT TO RELINQUISH CONTROL AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - cyclic - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - relinquishing of control - not performed, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Roll over, takeoff

## Analysis

DURING A INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR DIRECTED THE STUDENT TO MAKE A NORMAL TAKEOFF. THE INSTRUCTOR WAS FOLLOWING THE STUDENT ON THE CONTROLS WHEN THE STUDENT SUDDENLY MOVED THE CYCLIC TO THE LEFT. THE HELICOPTER STARTED TO ROLL TO THE LEFT. THE INSTRUCTOR COULD NOT OVERPOWER THE STUDENT AND REGAIN CONTROL BEFORE THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ON ITS LEFT SIDE. THERE WERE NO NOTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE HELICOPTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N131AT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N131AT-1991-04-30), registration cancelled 1991-04-30, S/N 341 (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: 341
- Airframe hours: 5765
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 417 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hiser Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 13, 1989, 65 hours before
- Airport: L66, Corona

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,809 total, 93 in this make and model, 1,532 as pilot in command, 323 in the last 90 days, 111 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 19 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19890315003859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890315003859A), Mar 15, 1989: Bell 206B, Corona, CA, Substantial damage. Student raised collective on takeoff then slammed it over full left. CFI could not correct. Helicopter rolled over.

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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