# NTSB LAX92FA088: Bell 206BIII, N95AT, Crockett, CA, January 11, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 11, 1992, 13:26 local (21:26 UTC)
- Place: Crockett, CA
- Coordinates: 38.049457, -122.2304 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0495&lon=-122.2304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27399
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27399/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA088

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN VIGILANT WATCH FOR OBSTRUCTIONS WHILE INTENTIONALLY CRUISING SLOWLY AT A LOW ALTITUDE. A FACTOR WAS THE POWER LINE WAS SUPPORTED BY DISTANT TOWERS, AND THE LINE WAS NOT CONSPICUOUS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - light condition - daylight
  - object - wire,transmission
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - failure,total
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD BEEN HIRED TO PROVIDE AN AIRLIFT FOR 4 PASSENGERS TO ASSIST THEM IN SURVEYING THE STRAIT FOR AN OIL SPILL.THE PILOT WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE AREA WHICH WAS LOCATED NEAR HIS HOME BASE ARPT. ON A CLEAR DAY, WHILE IN SLOW CRUISE FLT ABOUT 210 FEET AGL, THE PLT COLLIDED NEARLY PERPENDICULAR  WITH A POWER LINE. THE LINE WAS DEPICTED ON THE AERONAUTICAL CHART. THE HELICOPTER ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND CRASHED INTO THE UNDERLYING STRAIT. AN FAA INSPECTOR WHO FLEW THE SAME ROUTE AS THE ACCIDENT PLT REPORTED THAT THE POWER LINE WAS DIFFICULT TO OBSERVE UNITL HE WAS WITHIN 1000 FT OF IT. THE INSPECTOR INDICATED THAT THE LACK OF CONSPICUITY MAY BE RELATED TO THE FACT THAT THE TOWERS FROM WHICH THE LINE HAD BEEN SUSPENDED ACROSS THE STRAIT WERE LOCATED 4426 FEET APART.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95AT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95AT-2013-07-10), registration cancelled 2013-07-10, S/N 3295, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206BIII
- Registry model: [Bell 206B-III](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b-iii) (registry code 1181506) (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: 3295
- Airframe hours: 4178
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Rotor Connection, doing business as Air There Helicopters
- Registered owner: Rts Helicopter Services Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 27, 1991, 53 hours before
- Departed: NONE, MARTINEZ, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,712 total, 1,350 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °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 19920111000349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920111000349A), Jan 11, 1992: Bell 206B3, Crocket, CA, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Main rotors struck powerline that was suspended over a strait and crashed into water. Survey flight for oil spill.

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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