# NTSB LAX91LA205: Bell 206, N49720, Searchlight, NV, May 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1991, 00:01 local (07:01 UTC)
- Place: Searchlight, NV
- Coordinates: 35.489963, -114.890068 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4900&lon=-114.8901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27201
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27201/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA205

## Probable cause

CANNOT BE DETERMINED IN THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS STOLEN AND THE CERTAINTY OF THE RESULTING DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER MAY HAVE BEEN INTENTIONAL OR ACCIDENTAL.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined, unknown (cause)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use, unknown (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A BELL HELICOPTER 206 WAS STOLEN FROM THE OPERATOR DURING A ON-DEMAND AIR TAXI FLIGHT. A PASSENGER WAS FIRST TRANSPORTED BETWEEN TWO AIRPORTS. THE PASSENGER THEN ASKED THE PILOT TO FLY BY A MINE SITE. THE HELICOPTER LANDED AT THE MINE SITE AND WAS GREETED BY AN INDIVIDUAL CARRYING A RIFLE. THE PILOT WAS ASSAULTED AND KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS. THE HELICOPTER WAS THEN FLOWN AWAY. THE HELICOPTER WAS FOUND THREE DAYS LATER BY POLICE ABANDONED ON UNEVEN DESERT TERRAIN. THE WRECKAGE WAS DESCRIBED AS 'ROLLED UP IN A BALL.'  TRACES OF BLOOD AND HAIR WERE FOUND IN THE HELICOPTER'S OVERHEAD STRUCTURE ABOVE THE PILOT'S SEAT. SAMPLES OF THE BLOOD AND HAIR DID NOT MATCH THOSE OF THE ASSAILED PILOT. THE HELICOPTER HAD ROLLED OVER DURING A LANDING ATTEMPT. THE TIME AND DATE OF THE ACCIDENT CANNOT BE DETERMINED. THE IDENTITY OF THE PILOT CANNOT BE DETERMINED. THE THEFT OF THE HELICOPTER IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49720](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49720-2005-09-27), registration cancelled 2005-09-27, S/N 1899, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1899
- Engines: ALLISON 250 C18 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Helicopter Svc'S Nv
- Registered owner: Helicopter Svc'S Nv
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Not reported

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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