# NTSB LAX92FA047: Bell 206BIII, N5011K, Davis, CA, November 21, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 20, 1991, 18:14 local (Nov 21, 1991, 02:14 UTC)
- Place: Davis, CA
- Coordinates: 38.529457, -121.660804 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5295&lon=-121.6608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27391
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27391/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA047

## Probable cause

THE DECISION OF THE PILOT TO CONTINUE NIGHT LOW LEVEL FLIGHT IN FORECASTED ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FOGGY WEATHER AND DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS WHICH RESTRICTED THE PILOT'S VISUAL OUTLOOK.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

A BELL HELICOPTER 206B III COLLIDED WITH LEVEL TERRAIN DURING NIGHT INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE PILOT CONTACTED AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TWENTY MILES SOUTHEAST OF HIS DESTINATION REPORTING INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WITH LOW VISIBILITY IN LIGHT RAIN SHOWERS. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN VFR CONDITIONS AND STARTED TO MANEUVER AROUND THE WEATHER. A WITNESS REPORTED SEEING THE HELICOPTER FLYING NORTH, AT AN ALTITUDE BELOW THE LEVEL OF AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE HELICOPTER HAD TO CLIMB TO CROSS THE INTERSTATE. THE HELICOPTER THEN DESCENDED, IMPACTED THE GROUND, AND DISINTEGRATED. ATC REPORTED LOST RADAR CONTACT WITH THE HELICOPTER.  THE SEARCH FOR THE HELICOPTER WAS IMPEDED BY LOCAL DARKNESS AND GROUND FOG. THE PILOT'S DESTINATION AIRPORT LOCATED EIGHT NAUTICAL MILES NORTH OF THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS REPORTING A TEMPERATURE DEWPOINT SPREAD OF THREE DEGREES AND CALM WINDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5011K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5011K-1997-12-06), registration cancelled 1997-12-06, S/N 2580 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206BIII
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2580
- Airframe hours: 7949
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Aris Helicopter Ltd
- Registered owner: Aris Helicopter Ltd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: AAIP, November 20, 1991, 15 hours before
- Departed: SFO, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
- Destination: SMF, SACRAMENTO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,058 total, 222 in this make and model, 815 as pilot in command, 189 in the last 90 days, 73 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMF, 8 nm away

## 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 19911120053109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911120053109A), Nov 20, 1991: Bell 206B, Sacramento, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Lost control in IMC night conditions during vectors to airport. Helicopter disintegrated on ground impact.

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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