# NTSB LAX90LA298: Bell 206B, N250CA, California City, CA, August 22, 1990 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 22, 1990, 10:20 local (17:20 UTC) - Place: California City, CA - Coordinates: 35.149982, -117.920997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1500&lon=-117.9210&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 26902 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA298 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26902/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA298 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) THE FAILURE OF THE HELICOPTER PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE JUMP AIRCRAFT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INABILITY OF THE JUMP AIRCRAFT PILOT TO MAINTAIN VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE HELICOPTER. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) THE FAILURE OF THE HELICOPTER PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE JUMP AIRCRAT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INABILITY OF THE JUMP AIRCRAFT PILOT TO MAINTAIN VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE HELICOPTER. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, landing - formation flying - intentional, pilot in command - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Midair collision, cruise - formation flying - intentional, pilot in command - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE INVOLVED IN A MOVIE OPERATION WITH THE HELICOPTER (N250CA) CARRYING A CAMERMAN. THE DHC-6 (N203E) CARRIED PARACHUTISTS. THE PURPOSE OF THE OPERATION WAS TO PHOTOGRAPH THE PARACHUTISTS EXITING THE JUMP AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT OF N250CA SAID HE WAS IN FORMATION WITH N203E AND WAS MANEUVERING INTO CAMERA POSITION WHEN THE ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE VERTICAL STABILIZER AND RUDDER OF N203E. THE PILOT OF N203E WAS NOT IN A POSITION TO HAVE VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE HELICOPTER. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE INVOLVED IN A MOVIE OPERATION WITH THE HELICOPTER (N250CA) CARRYING A CAMERMAN. THE DHC-6 (N203E) CARRIED PARACHUTISTS. THE PURPOSE OF THE OPERATION WAS TO PHOTOGRAPH THE PARACHUTISTS EXITING THE JUMP AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT OF N250CA SAID HE WAS IN FORMATON WITH N203E AND WAS MANEUVERING INTO CAMERA POSITION WHEN THE ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE VERTICAL STABLILIZER AND RUDDER OF N203E. THE PILOT OF N203E WAS NOT IN A POSITION TO HAVE VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE HELICOPTER. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N250CA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N250CA), registered now, S/N 2615 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206B - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2615 - Engines: ALLISON E-20-73 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Cinema Air Inc. - Departed: L71, CALIFORNIA CITY, CA - Destination: L71 ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N203E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N203E-2013-07-18), registration cancelled 2013-07-18, S/N 53, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-6 - Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-6 TWIN OTTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-6-twin-otter) (registry code 2802606) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [U/A Canada PT6 SER 578HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/u-a-canada-pt6-ser-578hp) (registry code 61501, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Engines: turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: National Exec. Flight Ser. Inc - Departed: L71 - Destination: L71 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N250CA; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 7,069 total, 882 in this make and model, 6,151 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N203E; medical: unknown, unknown ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19900822035241A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900822035241A), Aug 22, 1990: Bell 206B, California City, CA, Substantial damage. In formation to film movie of jumpers departing. Rotors severed part of vertical fin and rudder OFN203E twin otter. - [Accident 19900822035242A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900822035242A), Aug 22, 1990: Dhav DHC6*, California City, CA, Substantial damage. In formation to film sky divers with N250CA,a 206B. Vertical tail portion was severed by rotors of the helicopter. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.