# NTSB LAX91FA098: Bell 206B, N2282T, Santa Paula, CA, February 13, 1991 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: February 13, 1991, 15:28 local (23:28 UTC) - Place: Santa Paula, CA - Coordinates: 34.399024, -119.070922 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3990&lon=-119.0709&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 26, 1992 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 26977 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26977/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA098 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE BELL 206B PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE PITTS S-2A. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE S-2A PILOT'S RESTRICTED VISIBILITY FROM THE TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED AIRPLANE, ONCE IT WAS IN POSITION ON THE RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE BELL 206B PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE PITTS S-2A. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE S-2A PILOT'S RESTRICTED VISIBILITY RROM THE TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED AIRPLANE, ONCE IT WAS IN POSITION ON THE RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, takeoff - initial climb - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - restricted, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - Midair collision, takeoff - initial climb - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis (aircraft 2) A HELICOPTER (BELL 206B, N2282T) & AN AIRPLANE (PITTS S-2A, N31512) COLLIDED IN MID-AIR DURING THEIR INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB FROM AN UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT. THE COLLISION OCCURRED AS THE AIRPLANE WAS TAKING OFF FROM RUNWAY 22 & THE HELICOPTER WAS DEPARTING FROM AN ADJACENT HELIPAD NEAR THE MIDPOINT OF THE 2650' RUNWAY. THE HELICOPTER PILOT SAID THAT AFTER LIFT-OFF FROM THE HELIPAD, HE BROUGHT THE HELICOPTER TO A HOVER & HOVER TAXIED IT TO THE RUNWAY. HE SAID HE VISUALLY CLEARED THE RUNWAY, & AFTER ABOUT 10 SEC, HE BEGAN HIS DEPARTURE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER'S FLIGHT PATH MERGED WITH THE FLIGHT PATH OF THE AIRPLANE OVER THE RUNWAY. FORWARD VISIBILITY FROM THE TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED AIRPLANE WOULD HAVE BEEN RESTRICTED WHILE ITS TAILWHEEL WAS ON THE RUNWAY SURFACE. AIRCRAFT TIEDOWNS WERE LOCATED BETWEEN THE APPROACH END OF RUNWAY 22 & THE HELIPAD; AIRCRAFT PARKED IN THIS TIE-DOWN AREA WOULD HAVE RESTRICTED THE VIEW BETWEEN THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY & THE HELIPAD. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) A HELICOPTER (BELL 206B, N2282T) & AN AIRPLANE (PITTS S-2A, N31512) COLLIDED IN MID-AIR DURING THEIR INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB FROM AN UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT. THE COLLISION OCCURRED AS THE AIRPLANE WAS TAKING OFF FROM RUNWAY 22 & THE HELICOPTER WAS DEPARTING FROM AN ADJACENT HELIPAD NEAR THE MIDPOINT OF THE 2650' RUNWAY. THE HELICOPTER PILOT SAID THAT AFTER LIFT-OFF FROM THE HELIPAD, HE BROUGHT THE HELICOPTER TO A HOVER & HOVER TAXIED IT TO THE RUNWAY. HE SAID HE VISUALLY CLEARED THE RUNWAY, & AFTER ABOUT 10 SEC, HE BEGAN HIS DEPARTURE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER'S FLIGHT PATH MERGED WITH THE FLIGHT PATH OF THE AIRPLANE OVER THE RUNWAY. FORWARD VISIBILITY FROM THE TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED AIRPLANE WOULD HAVE BEEN RESTRICTED WHILE ITS TAILWHEEL WAS ON THE RUNWAY SURFACE. AIRCRAFT TIEDOWNS WERE LOCATED BETWEEN THE APPROACH END OF RUNWAY 22 & THE HELIPAD; AIRCRAFT PARKED IN THIS TIE-DOWN AREA WOULD HAVE RESTRICTED THE VIEW BETWEEN THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY & THE HELIPAD. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: N2282T (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: BELL 206B - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3634 - Airframe hours: 2343 - Engines: ALLISON 25O-C20J 317 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Airwolf Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 10, 1990, 55 hours before - Departed: SZP - Destination: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA - Airport: SZP, Santa Paula, runway 22, 2,650 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N31512](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31512-2011-02-17), registration cancelled 2011-02-17, S/N 2154, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AEROTEK PITTS S-2A - Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS S-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-s-2a) (registry code 0110201) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2154 - Airframe hours: 1458 - Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Manelski, Leigh F. - Registered owner: Keenan, Robert B - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 1990, 90 hours before - Departed: SZP - Destination: SZP - Airport: SZP, Santa Paula, runway 22, 2,650 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N2282T; age 52; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,786 total, 1,450 in this make and model, 1,786 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N31512; age 46; airline transport, flight instructor, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 17,300 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 4 statute miles - 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 19910213002321A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910213002321A), Feb 13, 1991: Bell 206B, Santa Paula, CA, Substantial damage. Hovering onto runway failed to note N31512 that had lifted for climbout on same runway. Hit rotors passing overhead - [Accident 19910213002322A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910213002322A), Feb 13, 1991: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS2S, Santa Paula, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Failed to observe N2282T that was hovering onto runway. Fuselage collided with rotors on climbout. Visiblity factor 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.